Over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year.
This progressive neurological disease is incurable, but it affects everyone differently.
Some people may only suffer slight tremors while other people become completely disabled due to the ravages of this disease.
Parkinson's is a serious illness that can turn your life upside down.
Unfortunately, doctors are not sure if there is a specific trigger to Parkinson's.
Some people carry genetic mutations that put them at higher risk for this disorder, while others develop this disease as a result of exposure to environmental toxins like heavy metals.
These perhaps lead to the brain changes that are associated with Parkinson's disease: protein clumps in the brain tissue, lowered levels of the chemical messenger norepinephrine, and a loss of another chemical messenger called dopamine.
Norepinephrine and dopamine are both important for nervous system communication, especially between the nerves and muscles.
Thus, as this disease decreases norepinephrine and dopamine, you may develop physical manifestations of Parkinson's.
These symptoms include:

• Tremors - usually begin in the hand as a first sign of this disease
• Stiff or rigid muscles - typically noticeable when you no longer swing your arms as you walk
• Reduced ability to move - you may struggle with voluntary movement, such as walking
• Problems with balance - usually a later-stage symptom
• Abnormal posture - you may become increasingly hunched
• Speech problems - decreased control over the muscles of the mouth lead to slurring, slowed speech, monotonic speaking, and other differences from your normal speech pattern
• Loss of "unconscious" movements - such as smiling, blinking, gesturing while speaking
• Dementia - you can develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms with your mental capacity

While Parkinson's disease is currently progressive and incurable, there are drugs available that can help you manage your symptoms and even slow the progression of the disease.
Still, the tremors and other problems associated with this disorder may force you to give up things that you once enjoyed.
Parkinson's disease is not strictly an "old person's" disorder.
In fact, although it most often occurs later in life, it can hit you while you are in your early forties.
This disease can stop you from working and earning the wages that you need to pay for your medical bills as well as provide for your family.
If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you may be entitled to long-term disability benefits to help you with your financial stability.
To learn more, contact an experienced Indiana long-term disability lawyer from the Hankey Law Office, P.
C.
, today.