It’s a diagnosis that affects more than 200,000 patients each year.

“A very small percentage runs in families, a sporadic disorder. It's a deficiency of a neurotransmitter in the brain, called dopamine," said Dr. Jon Brillman, a neurologist with Lee Health.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.

“People can live many years with Parkinson’s disease and have a reasonably active life, providing they keep active and they utilize occupational and physical therapy,” he said.

And while Parkinson’s is typically recognized by tremors, doctors say there are early signs of the disease that loved ones may notice first.

“Most patients that develop early signs of Parkinson's disease don't notice any signs themselves or may regard it as the normal aging process. But often a family member, usually a spouse will say, ‘Why are you walking so bent over?’” Dr. Brillman explained.

Early signs of Parkinson's disease can be a change in posture, taking small steps, having very slow movements, even having a quieter voice.

“You may notice their hand writing getting very small, some drooling, changes in the skin,” he said.

Doctors may recommend a medication to help slow the progression of the symptoms if the disease is caught early — making it important to talk to your doctor if you notice changes to a loved one’s behavior.

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Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health Caring People. Inspiring Care.


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