Soccer legend Brett Favre, 54, introduced on Tuesday that he has been recognized with Parkinson’s illness.
The NFL Corridor of Famer referenced the prognosis whereas talking at a congressional listening to on federal welfare reform, throughout which he talked about his funding in an organization making a “breakthrough concussion drug.”
Favre, who spent 16 of his 20 NFL seasons with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, has brazenly mentioned experiencing “hundreds” of concussions over the course of his soccer profession.
NFL LEGEND BRETT FAVRE ANNOUNCES HE HAS PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What’s Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s illness (PD) is a neurodegenerative dysfunction that impacts motion, resulting in tremors, stiffness, gradual gait, stability points and different signs.
Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre testifies earlier than the Home Methods and Means Committee on the Longworth Home Workplace Constructing on Sept. 24, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Pictures)
Non-motor signs can embody despair, anxiousness, hallucinations, apathy, sleep issues, lack of scent, digestive points and orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood strain when standing up), in line with the Parkinson’s Basis.
Practically a million persons are residing with the illness within the U.S., and a projected 1.2 million may have obtained diagnoses by 2030.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE RISK IS LINKED TO GUT HEALTH, RESEARCHERS SAY
There isn’t any one recognized reason behind Parkinson’s illness, however there are components that would improve danger. For many circumstances of the illness, the trigger is unknown.
An individual who’s recognized with out trigger has what known as idiopathic Parkinson’s illness, in line with Healthline.
Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Inexperienced Bay Packers appears to be like on from the sideline throughout a sport towards the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Nov. 19, 1995, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Getty Pictures)
The chance will increase with age, however about 4% of sufferers are recognized earlier than turning 50.
Males are at a better danger, and are 1.5 occasions extra more likely to be recognized than girls, per the Basis.
Whereas there isn’t any treatment for PD, sufferers can generally handle their signs with drugs, surgical procedure and way of life adjustments.
THE EFFECTS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE ON THE BRAIN AND COMMON WAYS THOSE IMPACTED SUBDUE SYMPTOMS
The primary remedy used to alleviate Parkinson’s signs is levodopa, which helps to replenish dopamine within the mind, in line with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH).
Some persons are additionally prescribed dopamine agonists, enzyme inhibitors, amantadine and anticholinergic medicine, the supply said.
Signs or development of the illness may be worse for athletes who’ve skilled concussions or different head accidents, a neurologist confirmed. (iStock)
A nutritious diet, train, therapeutic massage remedy and bodily, occupational and speech therapies can even assist with signs associated to Parkinson’s illness.
Whereas Parkinson’s is just not instantly deadly, problems of the illness are rated because the 14th reason behind dying within the nation, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
The concussion connection
Dr. Joey Gee, a neurologist with Windfall Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California, mentioned it’s well-established that many neurological issues — predominantly neurodegenerative issues — can worsen or develop because of quite a few head traumas and accidents over time.
“This will embody every little thing from Alzheimer’s illness to Lou Gehrig’s illness, however loads of emphasis has been on the event of Parkinson’s illness,” Gee advised Fox Information Digital.
“We all know that persistent trauma to the mind could cause inflammatory adjustments and vascular disturbances.”
“We all know that persistent trauma to the mind could cause inflammatory adjustments and vascular disturbances.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In relation to Parkinson’s illness, it may possibly trigger a disruption of an inflammatory protein known as alpha-synuclein, he mentioned.
In individuals with Parkinson’s, that protein kinds into clumps within the spinal fluid known as Lewy our bodies, which is a marker of the illness.
Many neurological issues can worsen or develop because of quite a few head traumas and accidents over time, a neurologist mentioned. (Getty Pictures)
“After which you may even see early indicators or signs associated to Parkinson’s illness,” the neurologist famous.
Signs or development of the illness may be worse for athletes who’ve skilled concussions or different head accidents, Gee confirmed.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Quite a lot of scientific studies present that sufferers who’ve acquired Parkinson’s-related options from trauma could current earlier and will have extra vital signs than these with Parkinson’s illness who didn’t have a head damage,” he advised Fox Information Digital.
For extra Well being articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being
“So there’s a vital potential for earlier growth in signs and irritation of the mind.”
Fox Information Digital reached out to Favre’s representatives for remark.
Fox Information’ Ryan Morik and Ashlyn Messier contributed reporting.