By The Related Press
Greater than a decade after retiring from soccer, Brett Favre says he has Parkinson’s illness.
Favre advised a congressional listening to Tuesday that he had been just lately recognized. There are almost 90,000 new Parkinson’s circumstances every year within the U.S., based on the Parkinson’s Basis.
Listed here are some questions and solutions concerning the illness:
Parkinson’s is a neurologic illness that robs folks of management over their actions. It usually begins with tremors, and is characterised by gradual motion, a shuffling gait, stiff limbs, steadiness issues and slurred speech.
About 1 million Individuals reside with Parkinson’s, and 10 million folks worldwide, the muse estimates. It often seems after age 60, though generally it will probably develop earlier than age 50.
The precise trigger isn’t recognized however Parkinson’s develops when cells that produce one of many mind’s chemical messengers, referred to as dopamine, start to deteriorate and die. Dopamine transports indicators to elements of the mind that management motion. Parkinson’s signs seem after sufficient dopamine-producing cells die that there’s too little of this neurotransmitter within the mind.
Based on the muse, most specialists consider genetic and environmental components are behind the illness. Dozens of gene mutations linked to Parkinson’s have been found and genetics account for 10 to fifteen% of all Parkinson’s, the group says. Different components suspected of accelerating the chance embody head accidents, publicity to pesticides and herbicides and the place you reside. Favre stated on a radio present in 2022 that he estimates he could have skilled “hundreds” of concussions in his 20 years within the NFL.
There isn’t any remedy however there are remedies, together with medicines that have an effect on dopamine ranges and a surgically implanted tremor-blocking machine. Sufferers can also profit from bodily and occupational remedy.
Signs worsen over time, often slowly. The severity of signs, and the way rapidly they progress, varies broadly between sufferers. In superior circumstances, folks could also be unable to stroll or look after themselves. Additionally they can endure from despair, in addition to reminiscence and considering issues.
Whereas Parkinson’s itself isn’t thought of deadly, folks can die from problems of the illness, together with lung issues as muscle weak point impedes the power to cough and to swallow.
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The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives help from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Instructional Media Group. The AP is solely liable for all content material.