Get Parkinson's disease information from Consumer Reports Health.

Parkinson's disease

How common is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is quite common. About 1 in 500 people get it.

Source:
Parkinson's Disease Society.
About Parkinson's.
Available at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk (accessed on 2 April 2009).

Around half a million people in the United States have Parkinson's.

Source:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Parkinson's disease: hope through research.
March 2009. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm (accessed on 2 April 2009).

²
Every year, about 50,000 Americans are told they have the disease.

Source:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Parkinson's disease: hope through research.
March 2009. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm (accessed on 2 April 2009).

²
Your chances of getting Parkinson's increase as you get older. Since people are now living longer, more people are getting the disease.
Many people with Parkinson's disease, especially those who are very old, are never diagnosed with it. This may be because people confuse the symptoms of Parkinson's with the normal signs of aging.

Source:
de Rijk MC, Tzourio C, Breteler MM, et al.
Prevalence of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Europe: the EUROPARKINSON Collaborative Study.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1997; 62: 10-15.

³ So, they don't go to the doctor to have these symptoms checked out.

Sources for the information on this page:

Parkinson's Disease Society.About Parkinson's.Available at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk (accessed on 2 April 2009).

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Parkinson's disease: hope through research.March 2009. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm (accessed on 2 April 2009).

de Rijk MC, Tzourio C, Breteler MM, et al.Prevalence of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Europe: the EUROPARKINSON Collaborative Study.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1997; 62: 10-15.

This information was last updated on Apr 14, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.