Parkinson’s Disease | 17 Apr 2026

Source: TH 

April marks Parkinson’s Disease  Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to improve quality of life. 

• Parkinson’s Europe founded World Parkinson’s Day in April 1997 with support from the World Health Organisation to mark the birthday of James Parkinson, who first described the disease in 1817.  

Parkinson’s Disease 

• About: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs movement and can eventually lead to immobility and dementia. 
• Prevalence: The global burden of Parkinson’s disease has doubled in the last 25 years, with India accounting for around 10% of cases. 
• Age & Gender: It usually affects people in their 5th–6th decade, though younger individuals may also be affected, and men are more commonly affected than women. 
• Cardinal Symptoms: The disease is characterised by tremors, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and muscle rigidity. 
• Non-Motor Symptoms: Early signs may include constipation and sleep disorders, which can appear years before motor symptoms. 
• Diagnosis Challenge: Symptoms are often misinterpreted or ignored, leading to delayed diagnosis and prolonged suffering. 
• Treatment: There is no definitive cure, but medications can effectively manage symptoms and significantly improve quality of life.  
  • Advanced treatment options such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and MR-guided focused ultrasound offer targeted interventions for better symptom control in select cases.