Who Gets Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's Disease affects generally elder adults, among about
90% of the known cases are diagnosed in people over the age of
60. Within that population, there is a small amount of variance,
with the danger increasing from age 60 through age 75, and then
going down sharply. Currently, Parkinson's Disease is known to
affect about 3% of the population over the age of 65. With
present statistics and the probable aging of the population,
authorities think that that percentage will double in the next
40 years.
When those with mild symptoms of Parkinsons (symptoms of
Parkinson's Disease that may be caused by other things, or could
develop into Parkinson's Disease), those numbers increase
dramatically. 15% of those between the ages of 60 and 74 have
been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Between the ages of 75
and 84, that percentage rises to almost 30%.
However, when you look at it in terms of inception of symptoms,
the picture changes. Fewer than 10% of new cases of Parkinson's
disease are diagnosed in younger adults - under age 40. The
majority of new diagnoses of Parkinson's disease are made
between the ages of 60 and 75. After age 85, the danger of
developing Parkinson's Disease then seems to fall off
dramatically.
What are the factors that effect diagnoses?
Gender
Men appear to be at greater risk of developing Parkinson's
Disease than women. Men have to deal with about double the risk
of developing Parkinson's Disease as women in any age group.
Scientists think that estrogens may play a function in
protecting the body from the chemical changes that occur in
Parkinson's Disease. This is further borne out by two facts -
women who've had hysterectomies have a somewhat higher rate of
Parkinson's Disease, and women who've had estrogen replacement
therapy have a lower rate of Parkinson's Disease than other
women their age.
Parkinson's Disease seems to growth more quickly in men than
women according to one study, and another found a difference in
the way that symptoms present. Men are more prone to rigidity
and tremor, and women more at danger from gait disturbance and
shuffling.
Ethnicity
Caucasians have a higher danger of developing Parkinson's
Disease than either African Americans or Asian Americans. People
of European descent appear most prone to usual Parkinson's
Disease, but some studies hint at that non-Caucasians may be
more at risk for a particular type of non-typical Parkinsonis
that causes a disturbance in judgment.
Heredity
In a small percentage of cases, family history may play a part
in the inception of Parkinson's Disease. People who have parents
or brothers and sisters who had young-onset Parkinson's Disease,
in which symptoms develop before the age of 40, are more
probable to develop Parkinson's Disease than others their age.
When Parkinson's Disease was diagnosed at older ages, family
history looks like it's to play no part.
Cigarette Smokers
Oddly, cigarette smokers appear to have a diminished incidence
of Parkinson's Disease, which has led researchers to explore the
probability that nicotine may give some protection from the
fluctuations caused by Parkinson's Disease. They are quick to
point out that the other health problems associated with
cigarette smoking are far too significant to think cigarette
smoking as a way to avoid getting Parkinson's Disease.
Coffee Drinkers
Caffeine also seems to have a protective result against
Parkinson's Disease. A study of Japanese-American men suggested
that those who commonly drank coffee ran a lesser risk of
developing Parkinson's Disease than other men their age. The
more coffee they consumed, the lower the risk.