Famous People With Parkinson’s

Famous People With Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease, also known as PD, impairs a person’s speech and motor skills and affects over 4 million people around the world. In some extreme cases, a person suffering from Parkinson’s may completely lose their abilities to make physical movements. Within the United States, there are around 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease each year and the illness has a frequency of around 13 people out of every 100,000.

Michael J. Fox

When most people think of Michael J. Fox, they remember Family Ties, the 1980s television comedy or the ever-popular Back to the Future series. Fox received his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 30, which is incredibly young as the average age is 40 to 60. Fox continues to work, both as an author and an actor, but despite this, he is active in the world of Parkinson’s. He works to not only raise awareness for the disease, but also raise money to help research prevention, treatment and possible cures.

Video: Michael J. Fox in the Ellen Show

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a well-known and beloved boxer who began his battle with changing mobility and shaking hands before he quit professional boxing. Ali was diagnosed in 1994 and by 1997 he co-established a center designed to work with patients of Parkinson’s disease as well as provide outreach and education opportunities to raise awareness for the illness. Ali also uses his star power and status as a celebrity suffering from the disease to host Celebrity Fight Night, an annual gala fundraising event for Parkinson’s disease.

Video: Clips of Muhammad Ali Interviews

Janet Reno

Janet Reno was the first women who served as United States attorney general. She served from 1993 to 2001 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just two years after being nominated, in 1995 at the age of 55. Now Reno’s Parkinson’s has advanced enough to cause difficulties when she speaks. Despite mostly shunning the spotlight, Reno is one of the most admired and respected famous people with Parkinson’s disease.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is known as “America’s pastor” and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993. Despite being 93 years old and having struggled with the disease as well as the aging process, he is still strong. Throughout the years, Graham has dealt with several broken bones due to falls, one of which was his hip. This is a common problem for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In fact, a study that was published in the journal Movement Disorders reported that those with Parkinson’s are four times as likely to fracture one of their hips during a fall.

Bob Hoskins

Hoskins is a British actor who is perhaps best known for two of his roles: his award-winning performance in “The Long Good Friday” in 1982 and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988. In recent years, Hoskins announced that he would enter retirement due to Parkinson’s disease, but despite this, he has kept the details of his diagnosis private. At the time of his retirement, Hoskins said that he wanted to focus on leading a healthier lifestyle as well as his own overall health when he left acting.

Frederick “Freddie” Roach

Frederick “Freddie” Roach is a well-known former professional boxer and current boxing trainer. He does his best to control his case of Parkinson’s disease using injections and medications and continues his work as a trainer. Roach was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and still trains boxers that are world-famous at his Wild Card Boxing Club. Despite his diagnosis of Parkinson’s as well as the symptoms such as shakes in his left arm and slurred speech, Roach is still just as committed to boxing.

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford started working as a NASA astronaut back in 1990. Since then he has spent 665 hours in orbit around the globe during his three flights to space. He continued to fly even after receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2012, Clifford received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology for his work in increasing awareness for Parkinson’s disease as well as encouraging those with the disease to continue pursuing their dreams.

Ben Petrick

Ben Petrick is a famous baseball player who was a catcher for the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the course of his career, he played 240 major-league baseball games despite many of these taking place after his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2000 at age 22. His career finally ended seven years after his diagnosis. He talks about his experience both fighting Parkinson’s disease and as a major league baseball player in his book Forty Thousand to One. The title of this book partly refers to the number of Americans who receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s each year: 40,000.

Maurice White

Maurice White is one of the most famous musicians who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, as a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. He first noticed the symptoms of Parkinson’s during the 1980s which is when the band was at the height of popularity. Despite receiving his diagnosis at age 50 in 1992 he stayed silent about it for the next eight years. He spent five of these touring with his band while doing his best to control the effects of Parkinson’s.

George Wallace

George Wallace is known for his role as a U.S. politician. Throughout his career, he was elected as Alabama’s governor four times and ran for presidency the same number of times. While in service, he almost died due to spinal Meningitis but immediate medical attention was able to save him. Despite that, it led to nerve damage and partial hearing loss. He also experienced an assassination attempt that took his ability to walk and also dealt with Parkinson’s disease.

Does Parkinson's Kill You?

Does Parkinson's Kill You? People who are newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease will have many questions for their doctor. One of them is usuallywhether it'llcause death. Parkinson's is a progressive condition and there is no cure. It is caused by low levels of dopamine in the brain. This can cause severe disability over time. Almost a million people in the United States are diagnosed and living with this condition.

Does Parkinson's Kill You?
Parkinson's itself is not a fatal condition and in itself will not kill you. As a matter of fact, the life expectancy with Parkinson's is only slightly shorter than most people without the disease if you catch it early and take good care of yourself.

However, complications of Parkinson's areusually what shorten life expectancy in people with this condition. Death due to Parkinson's related complications isn't too common, but it can occur. Early detection, treatment, and assistance with living help reduce the risk. Here are some of the things that can lead to death from Parkinson's:

1. Aspiration pneumonia">Pneumonia
Parkinson's affects the way muscles function. This can cause problems with the throat and/or vocal cord muscles that close the throat off from the lungs when swallowing. As a result, food and fluids mayenter the lungs leading to pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is extremely serious.

2. Falls
The shuffling gait and stiff legs that occur with Parkinson's raises the risk of falls. People with Parkinson's are at high risk of head injuries and hip fractures. Both of these causean increased risk of death.

3. Dementia
Research continues to find the reason why people with dementia seem to be at higher risk of early death with Parkinson's. This is because dementia usually only affects cognitive function and not motor skills. A lack of adequate help in the home or caregiver may have a profound effect on people suffering from both Parkinson's and dementia, as these two conditions together would need increased supervision.

How Long Can You Live with Parkinson's?
Life expectancy with Parkinson's depends on how early you are diagnosed and begin treatment. The longer you wait, the higher your risk of complications that could shorten your life. In general, people with Parkinson's do have a slightly shorter life expectancy. Does Parkinson's kill you? Not the condition itself. Can complications from Parkinson's contribute to an earlier death? Yes.

Studies show that death due to complications of Parkinson's occurs anywhere from 2 years after diagnosis all the way up to 37 years after diagnosis. Here are some other helpful statistics on life expectancy with Parkinson's:

• Men are at a 60% increased risk of death due to Parkinson's


• The average age of death with Parkinson's is around 81 years' old


• The average life expectancy after diagnosis is about 16 years


• People that have severe cognitive dysfunction or mental manifestations are at a 50% higher risk of death

Again, it isn't actually Parkinson's that shortens life expectancy, but the complications. Currently there is no cure for Parkinson's. The good news is that treatments are available to reduce the symptoms. This can improve quality of life and can help prevent complications. These treatments include:

• Levodopa/Carbidopa -Since Parkinson's is related to low dopamine levels, these drugs in combination are converted to dopamine in the brain. Once converted, the neurons store it for when it is needed.

• Dopamine Agonistsmimic the effects of dopamine in the body. They don't need to be converted or stored. These medications are very helpful for more severe cases and later stages of the disease to better control symptoms.

• Amantadineis often used alongside Levodopa and dopamine agonists to help better control involuntary movements.

• MAO-B Inhibitorsreduce the amount of dopamine broken down by the brain so more is available for use.

• Anticholinergicshelp to control involuntary tremors. They are commonly used in younger cases of Parkinson's.

• COMT Inhibitors – When you take Levodopa, some is converted to a usable form and a small amount is converted to an inactive form the brain can't use. COMT Inhibitors ensure that all the levodopa you are taking is converted into a usable form. Therefore, they are usually a part of treatment with Levodopa.

Signs Death Is Near
When asking "Does Parkinson's kill you?"it is important to know what to watch for. End stage Parkinson's signs include:

• Inability to walk/wheelchair bound


• Inability to communicate


• Severe dementia


• Incontinence of bowel and bladder


• Increased infections


• Requires around the clock care and supervision

What If You're Diagnosed with Parkinson's?
Understand Parkinson's doesn't have to feel like a "death sentence." Follow these helpful tips to improve your quality of life with Parkinson's:

• Don't be afraid. While it may be normal to feel some anger, go ahead and let it out. After you process your diagnosis, continue to live your life as usual. You won't die from Parkinson's.


• Research as much as you can. Learn everything about Parkinson's and how you can live with this condition. It may even be helpful to join a Parkinson's support group so you can share experiences with others who have it.


• Have fun! Tell jokes. Laugh. Find humor in life and let it help you feel better. Think of something positive every day.


• Sit down with your partner and/or family and make a life plan. Figure out what you will do when you become disabled. Line up caregivers and assign household tasks to others. Plan for making your home more accessible and plan for your financial future if you have to stop working.


• Make healthy lifestyle changes. Eat a high fiber diet. Start and exercise routine. Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.

How WillParkinson's Affect Your Life?
The effects of Parkinson's can affect your life in numerous ways. It may not cause death, but can lower quality-of-life:

• Inability to Perform Small Motor Tasks:You may lose your ability to write clearly due to hand tremor. It may also be hard to use your phone or television remote. Hand tremors can happen when you are resting your hand and get worse when you try to use it. There is also a sign called "pill rolling" where your thumb and forefinger simultaneously touch each other constantly.

• Trouble Speaking Clearly:You may notice changes in your speech. Your voice may become softer or you may talk faster than usual. It may be harder to get words out or you can develop slurred speech. People often develop flattened or monotone speech.

• Trouble Walking and Balancing:You may walk with a shuffle or bent over. Your legs may stiffen up and not bend. You will also notice that you walk slower. A very serious issue is when balance issues become prominent and you begin to fall over often.

Does Parkinson's Kill You?

Does Parkinson's Kill You? People who are newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease will have many questions for their doctor. One of them is usuallywhether it'llcause death. Parkinson's is a progressive condition and there is no cure. It is caused by low levels of dopamine in the brain. This can cause severe disability over time. Almost a million people in the United States are diagnosed and living with this condition.

Does Parkinson's Kill You?
Parkinson's itself is not a fatal condition and in itself will not kill you. As a matter of fact, the life expectancy with Parkinson's is only slightly shorter than most people without the disease if you catch it early and take good care of yourself.

However, complications of Parkinson's areusually what shorten life expectancy in people with this condition. Death due to Parkinson's related complications isn't too common, but it can occur. Early detection, treatment, and assistance with living help reduce the risk. Here are some of the things that can lead to death from Parkinson's:

1. Aspiration pneumonia">Pneumonia
Parkinson's affects the way muscles function. This can cause problems with the throat and/or vocal cord muscles that close the throat off from the lungs when swallowing. As a result, food and fluids mayenter the lungs leading to pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is extremely serious.

2. Falls
The shuffling gait and stiff legs that occur with Parkinson's raises the risk of falls. People with Parkinson's are at high risk of head injuries and hip fractures. Both of these causean increased risk of death.

3. Dementia
Research continues to find the reason why people with dementia seem to be at higher risk of early death with Parkinson's. This is because dementia usually only affects cognitive function and not motor skills. A lack of adequate help in the home or caregiver may have a profound effect on people suffering from both Parkinson's and dementia, as these two conditions together would need increased supervision.

How Long Can You Live with Parkinson's?
Life expectancy with Parkinson's depends on how early you are diagnosed and begin treatment. The longer you wait, the higher your risk of complications that could shorten your life. In general, people with Parkinson's do have a slightly shorter life expectancy. Does Parkinson's kill you? Not the condition itself. Can complications from Parkinson's contribute to an earlier death? Yes.

Studies show that death due to complications of Parkinson's occurs anywhere from 2 years after diagnosis all the way up to 37 years after diagnosis. Here are some other helpful statistics on life expectancy with Parkinson's:

• Men are at a 60% increased risk of death due to Parkinson's


• The average age of death with Parkinson's is around 81 years' old


• The average life expectancy after diagnosis is about 16 years


• People that have severe cognitive dysfunction or mental manifestations are at a 50% higher risk of death

Again, it isn't actually Parkinson's that shortens life expectancy, but the complications. Currently there is no cure for Parkinson's. The good news is that treatments are available to reduce the symptoms. This can improve quality of life and can help prevent complications. These treatments include:

• Levodopa/Carbidopa -Since Parkinson's is related to low dopamine levels, these drugs in combination are converted to dopamine in the brain. Once converted, the neurons store it for when it is needed.

• Dopamine Agonistsmimic the effects of dopamine in the body. They don't need to be converted or stored. These medications are very helpful for more severe cases and later stages of the disease to better control symptoms.

• Amantadineis often used alongside Levodopa and dopamine agonists to help better control involuntary movements.

• MAO-B Inhibitorsreduce the amount of dopamine broken down by the brain so more is available for use.

• Anticholinergicshelp to control involuntary tremors. They are commonly used in younger cases of Parkinson's.

• COMT Inhibitors – When you take Levodopa, some is converted to a usable form and a small amount is converted to an inactive form the brain can't use. COMT Inhibitors ensure that all the levodopa you are taking is converted into a usable form. Therefore, they are usually a part of treatment with Levodopa.

Signs Death Is Near
When asking "Does Parkinson's kill you?"it is important to know what to watch for. End stage Parkinson's signs include:

• Inability to walk/wheelchair bound


• Inability to communicate


• Severe dementia


• Incontinence of bowel and bladder


• Increased infections


• Requires around the clock care and supervision

What If You're Diagnosed with Parkinson's?
Understand Parkinson's doesn't have to feel like a "death sentence." Follow these helpful tips to improve your quality of life with Parkinson's:

• Don't be afraid. While it may be normal to feel some anger, go ahead and let it out. After you process your diagnosis, continue to live your life as usual. You won't die from Parkinson's.


• Research as much as you can. Learn everything about Parkinson's and how you can live with this condition. It may even be helpful to join a Parkinson's support group so you can share experiences with others who have it.


• Have fun! Tell jokes. Laugh. Find humor in life and let it help you feel better. Think of something positive every day.


• Sit down with your partner and/or family and make a life plan. Figure out what you will do when you become disabled. Line up caregivers and assign household tasks to others. Plan for making your home more accessible and plan for your financial future if you have to stop working.


• Make healthy lifestyle changes. Eat a high fiber diet. Start and exercise routine. Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.

How WillParkinson's Affect Your Life?
The effects of Parkinson's can affect your life in numerous ways. It may not cause death, but can lower quality-of-life:

• Inability to Perform Small Motor Tasks:You may lose your ability to write clearly due to hand tremor. It may also be hard to use your phone or television remote. Hand tremors can happen when you are resting your hand and get worse when you try to use it. There is also a sign called "pill rolling" where your thumb and forefinger simultaneously touch each other constantly.

• Trouble Speaking Clearly:You may notice changes in your speech. Your voice may become softer or you may talk faster than usual. It may be harder to get words out or you can develop slurred speech. People often develop flattened or monotone speech.

• Trouble Walking and Balancing:You may walk with a shuffle or bent over. Your legs may stiffen up and not bend. You will also notice that you walk slower. A very serious issue is when balance issues become prominent and you begin to fall over often.

Famous People With Parkinson’s

Famous People With Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease, also known as PD, impairs a person’s speech and motor skills and affects over 4 million people around the world. In some extreme cases, a person suffering from Parkinson’s may completely lose their abilities to make physical movements. Within the United States, there are around 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease each year and the illness has a frequency of around 13 people out of every 100,000.

Michael J. Fox

When most people think of Michael J. Fox, they remember Family Ties, the 1980s television comedy or the ever-popular Back to the Future series. Fox received his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 30, which is incredibly young as the average age is 40 to 60. Fox continues to work, both as an author and an actor, but despite this, he is active in the world of Parkinson’s. He works to not only raise awareness for the disease, but also raise money to help research prevention, treatment and possible cures.

Video: Michael J. Fox in the Ellen Show

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a well-known and beloved boxer who began his battle with changing mobility and shaking hands before he quit professional boxing. Ali was diagnosed in 1994 and by 1997 he co-established a center designed to work with patients of Parkinson’s disease as well as provide outreach and education opportunities to raise awareness for the illness. Ali also uses his star power and status as a celebrity suffering from the disease to host Celebrity Fight Night, an annual gala fundraising event for Parkinson’s disease.

Video: Clips of Muhammad Ali Interviews

Janet Reno

Janet Reno was the first women who served as United States attorney general. She served from 1993 to 2001 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just two years after being nominated, in 1995 at the age of 55. Now Reno’s Parkinson’s has advanced enough to cause difficulties when she speaks. Despite mostly shunning the spotlight, Reno is one of the most admired and respected famous people with Parkinson’s disease.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is known as “America’s pastor” and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993. Despite being 93 years old and having struggled with the disease as well as the aging process, he is still strong. Throughout the years, Graham has dealt with several broken bones due to falls, one of which was his hip. This is a common problem for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In fact, a study that was published in the journal Movement Disorders reported that those with Parkinson’s are four times as likely to fracture one of their hips during a fall.

Bob Hoskins

Hoskins is a British actor who is perhaps best known for two of his roles: his award-winning performance in “The Long Good Friday” in 1982 and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988. In recent years, Hoskins announced that he would enter retirement due to Parkinson’s disease, but despite this, he has kept the details of his diagnosis private. At the time of his retirement, Hoskins said that he wanted to focus on leading a healthier lifestyle as well as his own overall health when he left acting.

Frederick “Freddie” Roach

Frederick “Freddie” Roach is a well-known former professional boxer and current boxing trainer. He does his best to control his case of Parkinson’s disease using injections and medications and continues his work as a trainer. Roach was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and still trains boxers that are world-famous at his Wild Card Boxing Club. Despite his diagnosis of Parkinson’s as well as the symptoms such as shakes in his left arm and slurred speech, Roach is still just as committed to boxing.

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford started working as a NASA astronaut back in 1990. Since then he has spent 665 hours in orbit around the globe during his three flights to space. He continued to fly even after receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2012, Clifford received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology for his work in increasing awareness for Parkinson’s disease as well as encouraging those with the disease to continue pursuing their dreams.

Ben Petrick

Ben Petrick is a famous baseball player who was a catcher for the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the course of his career, he played 240 major-league baseball games despite many of these taking place after his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2000 at age 22. His career finally ended seven years after his diagnosis. He talks about his experience both fighting Parkinson’s disease and as a major league baseball player in his book Forty Thousand to One. The title of this book partly refers to the number of Americans who receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s each year: 40,000.

Maurice White

Maurice White is one of the most famous musicians who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, as a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. He first noticed the symptoms of Parkinson’s during the 1980s which is when the band was at the height of popularity. Despite receiving his diagnosis at age 50 in 1992 he stayed silent about it for the next eight years. He spent five of these touring with his band while doing his best to control the effects of Parkinson’s.

George Wallace

George Wallace is known for his role as a U.S. politician. Throughout his career, he was elected as Alabama’s governor four times and ran for presidency the same number of times. While in service, he almost died due to spinal Meningitis but immediate medical attention was able to save him. Despite that, it led to nerve damage and partial hearing loss. He also experienced an assassination attempt that took his ability to walk and also dealt with Parkinson’s disease.

Famous People With Parkinson’s

Famous People With Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease, also known as PD, impairs a person’s speech and motor skills and affects over 4 million people around the world. In some extreme cases, a person suffering from Parkinson’s may completely lose their abilities to make physical movements. Within the United States, there are around 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease each year and the illness has a frequency of around 13 people out of every 100,000.

Michael J. Fox

When most people think of Michael J. Fox, they remember Family Ties, the 1980s television comedy or the ever-popular Back to the Future series. Fox received his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 30, which is incredibly young as the average age is 40 to 60. Fox continues to work, both as an author and an actor, but despite this, he is active in the world of Parkinson’s. He works to not only raise awareness for the disease, but also raise money to help research prevention, treatment and possible cures.

Video: Michael J. Fox in the Ellen Show

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a well-known and beloved boxer who began his battle with changing mobility and shaking hands before he quit professional boxing. Ali was diagnosed in 1994 and by 1997 he co-established a center designed to work with patients of Parkinson’s disease as well as provide outreach and education opportunities to raise awareness for the illness. Ali also uses his star power and status as a celebrity suffering from the disease to host Celebrity Fight Night, an annual gala fundraising event for Parkinson’s disease.

Video: Clips of Muhammad Ali Interviews

Janet Reno

Janet Reno was the first women who served as United States attorney general. She served from 1993 to 2001 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just two years after being nominated, in 1995 at the age of 55. Now Reno’s Parkinson’s has advanced enough to cause difficulties when she speaks. Despite mostly shunning the spotlight, Reno is one of the most admired and respected famous people with Parkinson’s disease.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is known as “America’s pastor” and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993. Despite being 93 years old and having struggled with the disease as well as the aging process, he is still strong. Throughout the years, Graham has dealt with several broken bones due to falls, one of which was his hip. This is a common problem for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In fact, a study that was published in the journal Movement Disorders reported that those with Parkinson’s are four times as likely to fracture one of their hips during a fall.

Bob Hoskins

Hoskins is a British actor who is perhaps best known for two of his roles: his award-winning performance in “The Long Good Friday” in 1982 and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988. In recent years, Hoskins announced that he would enter retirement due to Parkinson’s disease, but despite this, he has kept the details of his diagnosis private. At the time of his retirement, Hoskins said that he wanted to focus on leading a healthier lifestyle as well as his own overall health when he left acting.

Frederick “Freddie” Roach

Frederick “Freddie” Roach is a well-known former professional boxer and current boxing trainer. He does his best to control his case of Parkinson’s disease using injections and medications and continues his work as a trainer. Roach was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and still trains boxers that are world-famous at his Wild Card Boxing Club. Despite his diagnosis of Parkinson’s as well as the symptoms such as shakes in his left arm and slurred speech, Roach is still just as committed to boxing.

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford started working as a NASA astronaut back in 1990. Since then he has spent 665 hours in orbit around the globe during his three flights to space. He continued to fly even after receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2012, Clifford received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology for his work in increasing awareness for Parkinson’s disease as well as encouraging those with the disease to continue pursuing their dreams.

Ben Petrick

Ben Petrick is a famous baseball player who was a catcher for the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the course of his career, he played 240 major-league baseball games despite many of these taking place after his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2000 at age 22. His career finally ended seven years after his diagnosis. He talks about his experience both fighting Parkinson’s disease and as a major league baseball player in his book Forty Thousand to One. The title of this book partly refers to the number of Americans who receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s each year: 40,000.

Maurice White

Maurice White is one of the most famous musicians who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, as a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. He first noticed the symptoms of Parkinson’s during the 1980s which is when the band was at the height of popularity. Despite receiving his diagnosis at age 50 in 1992 he stayed silent about it for the next eight years. He spent five of these touring with his band while doing his best to control the effects of Parkinson’s.

George Wallace

George Wallace is known for his role as a U.S. politician. Throughout his career, he was elected as Alabama’s governor four times and ran for presidency the same number of times. While in service, he almost died due to spinal Meningitis but immediate medical attention was able to save him. Despite that, it led to nerve damage and partial hearing loss. He also experienced an assassination attempt that took his ability to walk and also dealt with Parkinson’s disease.

Does Parkinson's Kill You?

Does Parkinson's Kill You? People who are newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease will have many questions for their doctor. One of them is usuallywhether it'llcause death. Parkinson's is a progressive condition and there is no cure. It is caused by low levels of dopamine in the brain. This can cause severe disability over time. Almost a million people in the United States are diagnosed and living with this condition.

Does Parkinson's Kill You?
Parkinson's itself is not a fatal condition and in itself will not kill you. As a matter of fact, the life expectancy with Parkinson's is only slightly shorter than most people without the disease if you catch it early and take good care of yourself.

However, complications of Parkinson's areusually what shorten life expectancy in people with this condition. Death due to Parkinson's related complications isn't too common, but it can occur. Early detection, treatment, and assistance with living help reduce the risk. Here are some of the things that can lead to death from Parkinson's:

1. Aspiration pneumonia">Pneumonia
Parkinson's affects the way muscles function. This can cause problems with the throat and/or vocal cord muscles that close the throat off from the lungs when swallowing. As a result, food and fluids mayenter the lungs leading to pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is extremely serious.

2. Falls
The shuffling gait and stiff legs that occur with Parkinson's raises the risk of falls. People with Parkinson's are at high risk of head injuries and hip fractures. Both of these causean increased risk of death.

3. Dementia
Research continues to find the reason why people with dementia seem to be at higher risk of early death with Parkinson's. This is because dementia usually only affects cognitive function and not motor skills. A lack of adequate help in the home or caregiver may have a profound effect on people suffering from both Parkinson's and dementia, as these two conditions together would need increased supervision.

How Long Can You Live with Parkinson's?
Life expectancy with Parkinson's depends on how early you are diagnosed and begin treatment. The longer you wait, the higher your risk of complications that could shorten your life. In general, people with Parkinson's do have a slightly shorter life expectancy. Does Parkinson's kill you? Not the condition itself. Can complications from Parkinson's contribute to an earlier death? Yes.

Studies show that death due to complications of Parkinson's occurs anywhere from 2 years after diagnosis all the way up to 37 years after diagnosis. Here are some other helpful statistics on life expectancy with Parkinson's:

• Men are at a 60% increased risk of death due to Parkinson's


• The average age of death with Parkinson's is around 81 years' old


• The average life expectancy after diagnosis is about 16 years


• People that have severe cognitive dysfunction or mental manifestations are at a 50% higher risk of death

Again, it isn't actually Parkinson's that shortens life expectancy, but the complications. Currently there is no cure for Parkinson's. The good news is that treatments are available to reduce the symptoms. This can improve quality of life and can help prevent complications. These treatments include:

• Levodopa/Carbidopa -Since Parkinson's is related to low dopamine levels, these drugs in combination are converted to dopamine in the brain. Once converted, the neurons store it for when it is needed.

• Dopamine Agonistsmimic the effects of dopamine in the body. They don't need to be converted or stored. These medications are very helpful for more severe cases and later stages of the disease to better control symptoms.

• Amantadineis often used alongside Levodopa and dopamine agonists to help better control involuntary movements.

• MAO-B Inhibitorsreduce the amount of dopamine broken down by the brain so more is available for use.

• Anticholinergicshelp to control involuntary tremors. They are commonly used in younger cases of Parkinson's.

• COMT Inhibitors – When you take Levodopa, some is converted to a usable form and a small amount is converted to an inactive form the brain can't use. COMT Inhibitors ensure that all the levodopa you are taking is converted into a usable form. Therefore, they are usually a part of treatment with Levodopa.

Signs Death Is Near
When asking "Does Parkinson's kill you?"it is important to know what to watch for. End stage Parkinson's signs include:

• Inability to walk/wheelchair bound


• Inability to communicate


• Severe dementia


• Incontinence of bowel and bladder


• Increased infections


• Requires around the clock care and supervision

What If You're Diagnosed with Parkinson's?
Understand Parkinson's doesn't have to feel like a "death sentence." Follow these helpful tips to improve your quality of life with Parkinson's:

• Don't be afraid. While it may be normal to feel some anger, go ahead and let it out. After you process your diagnosis, continue to live your life as usual. You won't die from Parkinson's.


• Research as much as you can. Learn everything about Parkinson's and how you can live with this condition. It may even be helpful to join a Parkinson's support group so you can share experiences with others who have it.


• Have fun! Tell jokes. Laugh. Find humor in life and let it help you feel better. Think of something positive every day.


• Sit down with your partner and/or family and make a life plan. Figure out what you will do when you become disabled. Line up caregivers and assign household tasks to others. Plan for making your home more accessible and plan for your financial future if you have to stop working.


• Make healthy lifestyle changes. Eat a high fiber diet. Start and exercise routine. Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.

How WillParkinson's Affect Your Life?
The effects of Parkinson's can affect your life in numerous ways. It may not cause death, but can lower quality-of-life:

• Inability to Perform Small Motor Tasks:You may lose your ability to write clearly due to hand tremor. It may also be hard to use your phone or television remote. Hand tremors can happen when you are resting your hand and get worse when you try to use it. There is also a sign called "pill rolling" where your thumb and forefinger simultaneously touch each other constantly.

• Trouble Speaking Clearly:You may notice changes in your speech. Your voice may become softer or you may talk faster than usual. It may be harder to get words out or you can develop slurred speech. People often develop flattened or monotone speech.

• Trouble Walking and Balancing:You may walk with a shuffle or bent over. Your legs may stiffen up and not bend. You will also notice that you walk slower. A very serious issue is when balance issues become prominent and you begin to fall over often.

Famous People With Parkinson’s

Famous People With Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease, also known as PD, impairs a person’s speech and motor skills and affects over 4 million people around the world. In some extreme cases, a person suffering from Parkinson’s may completely lose their abilities to make physical movements. Within the United States, there are around 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease each year and the illness has a frequency of around 13 people out of every 100,000.

Michael J. Fox

When most people think of Michael J. Fox, they remember Family Ties, the 1980s television comedy or the ever-popular Back to the Future series. Fox received his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 30, which is incredibly young as the average age is 40 to 60. Fox continues to work, both as an author and an actor, but despite this, he is active in the world of Parkinson’s. He works to not only raise awareness for the disease, but also raise money to help research prevention, treatment and possible cures.

Video: Michael J. Fox in the Ellen Show

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a well-known and beloved boxer who began his battle with changing mobility and shaking hands before he quit professional boxing. Ali was diagnosed in 1994 and by 1997 he co-established a center designed to work with patients of Parkinson’s disease as well as provide outreach and education opportunities to raise awareness for the illness. Ali also uses his star power and status as a celebrity suffering from the disease to host Celebrity Fight Night, an annual gala fundraising event for Parkinson’s disease.

Video: Clips of Muhammad Ali Interviews

Janet Reno

Janet Reno was the first women who served as United States attorney general. She served from 1993 to 2001 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just two years after being nominated, in 1995 at the age of 55. Now Reno’s Parkinson’s has advanced enough to cause difficulties when she speaks. Despite mostly shunning the spotlight, Reno is one of the most admired and respected famous people with Parkinson’s disease.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is known as “America’s pastor” and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993. Despite being 93 years old and having struggled with the disease as well as the aging process, he is still strong. Throughout the years, Graham has dealt with several broken bones due to falls, one of which was his hip. This is a common problem for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In fact, a study that was published in the journal Movement Disorders reported that those with Parkinson’s are four times as likely to fracture one of their hips during a fall.

Bob Hoskins

Hoskins is a British actor who is perhaps best known for two of his roles: his award-winning performance in “The Long Good Friday” in 1982 and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988. In recent years, Hoskins announced that he would enter retirement due to Parkinson’s disease, but despite this, he has kept the details of his diagnosis private. At the time of his retirement, Hoskins said that he wanted to focus on leading a healthier lifestyle as well as his own overall health when he left acting.

Frederick “Freddie” Roach

Frederick “Freddie” Roach is a well-known former professional boxer and current boxing trainer. He does his best to control his case of Parkinson’s disease using injections and medications and continues his work as a trainer. Roach was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and still trains boxers that are world-famous at his Wild Card Boxing Club. Despite his diagnosis of Parkinson’s as well as the symptoms such as shakes in his left arm and slurred speech, Roach is still just as committed to boxing.

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford started working as a NASA astronaut back in 1990. Since then he has spent 665 hours in orbit around the globe during his three flights to space. He continued to fly even after receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2012, Clifford received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology for his work in increasing awareness for Parkinson’s disease as well as encouraging those with the disease to continue pursuing their dreams.

Ben Petrick

Ben Petrick is a famous baseball player who was a catcher for the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the course of his career, he played 240 major-league baseball games despite many of these taking place after his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2000 at age 22. His career finally ended seven years after his diagnosis. He talks about his experience both fighting Parkinson’s disease and as a major league baseball player in his book Forty Thousand to One. The title of this book partly refers to the number of Americans who receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s each year: 40,000.

Maurice White

Maurice White is one of the most famous musicians who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, as a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. He first noticed the symptoms of Parkinson’s during the 1980s which is when the band was at the height of popularity. Despite receiving his diagnosis at age 50 in 1992 he stayed silent about it for the next eight years. He spent five of these touring with his band while doing his best to control the effects of Parkinson’s.

George Wallace

George Wallace is known for his role as a U.S. politician. Throughout his career, he was elected as Alabama’s governor four times and ran for presidency the same number of times. While in service, he almost died due to spinal Meningitis but immediate medical attention was able to save him. Despite that, it led to nerve damage and partial hearing loss. He also experienced an assassination attempt that took his ability to walk and also dealt with Parkinson’s disease.

Early Onset Parkinson's Disease

Early Onset Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disabling neurological condition with many different symptoms. It mostly affects middle age to older people, but can show up in younger people. Early onset Parkinson’s disease can show up just like the usual onset. Younger people may notice a hand tremor, or have trouble walking. The symptoms can mimic other neurological conditions and diagnosis in younger people can be tricky.

At this time, there is no definitive testing for Parkinson’s disease. Doctors can diagnose Parkinson’s by symptom criteria after ruling out other health conditions that may be the cause of symptoms. If you have any of the symptoms below, see your doctor and ask for a referral to a neurologist. The information contained here is not for diagnosing Parkinson’s and is for information on the disorder. This article will help you understand Parkinson’s disease, and what it may look like in someone that doesn’t seem old enough to be suffering from it.

What Is Early Onset Parkinson's Disease?

When Parkinson’s symptoms appear between the ages of 21 and 40 years, it is considered “early onset.”

Early onset Parkinson’s disease is the same as Parkinson’s disease and a degenerative neurological disease that manifests in a small group of neurons in the substantia nigra. These neurons produce dopamine (neurotransmitter) that signals muscle response in the smooth muscles. It can also affects some “non-motor” functions of the body.

In Parkinson’s disease, these neurons that produce dopamine die off and this lowers the dopamine levels. Body movements begin to become slower, walking becomes uncoordinated, balance is affected, and hand tremors set in. The cause of these cells dying is still unknown.

Early Onset Parkinson's Disease Symptoms
The symptoms at onset are most often the same as the onset in later years, but it can be challenging for a young person that has to deal with work, children, and social situations.

Parkinson’s in younger adults tends to be milder and progresses slower. This may be due to better health and the cells are less aged. There usually aren’t any issue with Dementia and cognitionin younger people with Parkinson’s. The tremor and involuntary movements that go with the disease are often the most severe issue for younger people.

• Hand tremor at rest


• Slowed movements


• Rigid muscles


• Balance issues


• Depression


• Skin issues


• Low Blood Pressure


• Bowel and bladder issues


• Sweating


• Trouble sleeping


• Cognitive issuesbecause it can affect the way you feel, think, and behave or affect your memory


• It can rarely lead to impulse control disorder like binge eating, excessive shopping or hyper-sexuality

Only a few symptoms need to be present to diagnose Parkinson’s and not all younger people have all of the symptoms. It is important if you have any of the above symptoms to see your doctor as soon as possible. It may be necessary to rule out other health conditions that can cause neurological symptoms.

Early Onset Parkinson's Disease Risk Factors
The risk factors for early onset Parkinson’s disease are the same as Parkinson’s that comes on later in life. The one big risk factor for Parkinson’s disease is age and male gender. Other factors include:

• Smoking


• Drinking too much caffeine


• Exposure to chemicals/pesticides


• Head injury


• Genetics/Family history

Treatments for Early Onset Parkinson's Disease
The treatments for any case of Parkinson’s disease are the same. Here are the treatments:

1. Levodopa- Carbidopa
Levodopa is one of the first lines of treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The levodopa goes into the brain where it is changed into dopamine. The carbidopa which is combined with Levodopa prevents the levodopa from being changed too soon outside the brain. Carbidopa also helps with some of the side-effects including nausea, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Levodopa effects may wear off with long-term use and cause other side-effects like involuntary movements. This drug is available for oral use and by infusion.

2. Dopamine Agonist Medications
Dopamine agonists act like dopamine inside your brain. They tend to be less effective but the effects last longer. They are often given with levodopa to make it work better. Side-effects includeincreased sexuality, addictive behavior, hallucinations, and lethargy.

3. MAO-B Inhibitors
These stop your brain from breaking down dopamine. They inhibit a chemical in the brain called monoamine oxidase B that reduces the amount of dopamine you have available. Side-effects include inability to sleep and nausea. This medication should not be used with carbidopa-levodopa as this combination can cause hallucinations. They also cannot be taken with anti-depressant medications.

4. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Inhibitors
These can increase the effectiveness of levodopa and makes it work longer. Side-effects includeinvoluntary movement, Diarrhea, nausea, and low blood pressure.

5. Anticholinergics
These are rarely used anymore and help reduce the Parkinson’s tremor. The side-effects with these medications often cannot be tolerated and include trouble urinating, dry mouth, confused thinking, memory issues, and Constipation.

6. Amantadine
This medication can relieve symptoms for short periods of time if the disease is mild. It can be used in combination with carbidopa-levodopa later in the disease to relieve involuntary movements caused by other medications. Side-effects include swelling of the ankles, hallucinations, and purple color of the skin.

7. Deep Brain Stimulation
Doctors can implant electrical stimulators in your brain that can target the areas that help stimulate muscle control. The system can be adjusted to help manage symptoms. Risks of this procedure include Stroke, hemorrhage, and infection. This is usually only used in people who do not respond to medication or have a more severe case.

Early Onset Parkinson's Disease Complications and Prognosis
Parkinson’s disease is not a fatal condition, but certain complications can lead to poor health and death. The prognosis depends on how old you are, if you are healthy, and how severe your condition is. Complications include:

• Blood Clots in the legs


• Aspiration Pneumonia


• Blood clots in the lungs

The above complications are usually what shorten the lifespan of someone with Parkinson’s.

Famous People With Parkinson’s

Famous People With Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease, also known as PD, impairs a person’s speech and motor skills and affects over 4 million people around the world. In some extreme cases, a person suffering from Parkinson’s may completely lose their abilities to make physical movements. Within the United States, there are around 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease each year and the illness has a frequency of around 13 people out of every 100,000.

Michael J. Fox

When most people think of Michael J. Fox, they remember Family Ties, the 1980s television comedy or the ever-popular Back to the Future series. Fox received his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 30, which is incredibly young as the average age is 40 to 60. Fox continues to work, both as an author and an actor, but despite this, he is active in the world of Parkinson’s. He works to not only raise awareness for the disease, but also raise money to help research prevention, treatment and possible cures.

Video: Michael J. Fox in the Ellen Show

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a well-known and beloved boxer who began his battle with changing mobility and shaking hands before he quit professional boxing. Ali was diagnosed in 1994 and by 1997 he co-established a center designed to work with patients of Parkinson’s disease as well as provide outreach and education opportunities to raise awareness for the illness. Ali also uses his star power and status as a celebrity suffering from the disease to host Celebrity Fight Night, an annual gala fundraising event for Parkinson’s disease.

Video: Clips of Muhammad Ali Interviews

Janet Reno

Janet Reno was the first women who served as United States attorney general. She served from 1993 to 2001 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just two years after being nominated, in 1995 at the age of 55. Now Reno’s Parkinson’s has advanced enough to cause difficulties when she speaks. Despite mostly shunning the spotlight, Reno is one of the most admired and respected famous people with Parkinson’s disease.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is known as “America’s pastor” and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993. Despite being 93 years old and having struggled with the disease as well as the aging process, he is still strong. Throughout the years, Graham has dealt with several broken bones due to falls, one of which was his hip. This is a common problem for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In fact, a study that was published in the journal Movement Disorders reported that those with Parkinson’s are four times as likely to fracture one of their hips during a fall.

Bob Hoskins

Hoskins is a British actor who is perhaps best known for two of his roles: his award-winning performance in “The Long Good Friday” in 1982 and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988. In recent years, Hoskins announced that he would enter retirement due to Parkinson’s disease, but despite this, he has kept the details of his diagnosis private. At the time of his retirement, Hoskins said that he wanted to focus on leading a healthier lifestyle as well as his own overall health when he left acting.

Frederick “Freddie” Roach

Frederick “Freddie” Roach is a well-known former professional boxer and current boxing trainer. He does his best to control his case of Parkinson’s disease using injections and medications and continues his work as a trainer. Roach was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and still trains boxers that are world-famous at his Wild Card Boxing Club. Despite his diagnosis of Parkinson’s as well as the symptoms such as shakes in his left arm and slurred speech, Roach is still just as committed to boxing.

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford

Michael Richard “Rich” Clifford started working as a NASA astronaut back in 1990. Since then he has spent 665 hours in orbit around the globe during his three flights to space. He continued to fly even after receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2012, Clifford received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology for his work in increasing awareness for Parkinson’s disease as well as encouraging those with the disease to continue pursuing their dreams.

Ben Petrick

Ben Petrick is a famous baseball player who was a catcher for the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the course of his career, he played 240 major-league baseball games despite many of these taking place after his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2000 at age 22. His career finally ended seven years after his diagnosis. He talks about his experience both fighting Parkinson’s disease and as a major league baseball player in his book Forty Thousand to One. The title of this book partly refers to the number of Americans who receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s each year: 40,000.

Maurice White

Maurice White is one of the most famous musicians who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, as a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. He first noticed the symptoms of Parkinson’s during the 1980s which is when the band was at the height of popularity. Despite receiving his diagnosis at age 50 in 1992 he stayed silent about it for the next eight years. He spent five of these touring with his band while doing his best to control the effects of Parkinson’s.

George Wallace

George Wallace is known for his role as a U.S. politician. Throughout his career, he was elected as Alabama’s governor four times and ran for presidency the same number of times. While in service, he almost died due to spinal Meningitis but immediate medical attention was able to save him. Despite that, it led to nerve damage and partial hearing loss. He also experienced an assassination attempt that took his ability to walk and also dealt with Parkinson’s disease.