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    Parkinson’s Disease: A progressive nervous system disorder

a caregiver holding the hand of an elderly person, senior citizen with arthritis, maybe Parkinson's disease
The first female U.S. attorney general, Janet Reno, died on Monday, Nov. 7, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. She was 78 years old and had lived with the diagnosis since 1995. To learn more about Parkinson's read the article below from mayoclinic.org.
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Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, your face may show little or no expression, or your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson's disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time.

Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications may markedly improve your symptoms. In occasional cases, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms.

Read more about Parkinson's disease and ongoing research at Mayo Clinic.

medical illustration showing hand tremor due to Parkinson's Disease

Related news reports on Mayo Clinic News Network:

Single mutation in recessive gene increases risk of earlier onset Parkinson’s disease (Nov. 2, 2016)

Mayo Clinic Study Shows Increase in Parkinson’s Disease Over 30 Years (June 20, 2016)

Study Determines Saliva Gland Test can Spot Early Parkinson's Disease  (Feb. 1, 2016)

Aerobic Exercise Benefits Patients with Parkinson’s Disease  (Jan. 19, 2016)

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Rate of progression of Parkinson’s disease hard to predict (Nov. 24, 2015)

Delving into Lewy Body Dementia (Nov. 6, 2015)

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Parkinson’s disease not the only cause of parkinsonism  (Aug. 12, 2014)

Parkinson's Blood Test May Reveal Disease Progression  (Sept. 18, 2013)

Parkinsonism - Different than Parkinson's Disease  (Sept. 17, 2013)

Parkinson’s Goes Prime Time: Five Things to Know about Parkinson’s Disease  (Aug. 29, 2013)