World Parkinson's Day: Why Parkinson’s disease is striking people under 50

While advancing age remains a prominent risk factor for Parkinsonrsquos disease health experts on Thursday expressed concerns over the increasing early onset of the neurodegenerative disease among people under the age of 50According to a 2022 study published in the journal Parkinsonism amp Related Disorders India has an increasing prevalence of Parkinsonrsquos disease with the average age of onset almost a decade younger in comparison to other countriesldquoThe prevailing myth that Parkinsons primarily afflicts older individuals is rapidly dissipating in light of evolving epidemiological trends and clinical observations The recent surge in earlyonset Parkinsons cases particularly in countries like India where a significant proportion of patients experience motor symptoms before the age of 50 challenges this misconceptionrdquo Dr Aashka Ponda Consultant Neurophysician Bhailal Amin General Hospital Vadodara told IANSEven though age continues to be the major risk factor emerging evidence highlights the role of environmental toxins genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors in precipitating Parkinsons onset at younger agesldquoFactors such as exposure to pesticides air pollution and dietary habits intersect with genetic susceptibilities to shape the disease trajectory challenging the notion of Parkinsons as an exclusive affliction of the elderlyrdquo the doctor saidCharacterised by symptoms such as reduced movement speed stiffness tremors and impaired balance or posture Parkinsons can substantially disrupt daily activities and mobility leading to distressParkinsons disease patients contend not only with motor symptoms like tremors slowness stiffness and postural instability but also grapple with often overlooked nonmotor manifestations such as sleep disturbances anxiety depression and cognitive impairmentsldquoWith a substantial portion of Parkinsons patients falling within the younger age bracket its imperative to recognise that this neurological disorder does not discriminate solely based on age Instead a multifaceted interplay of genetic predispositions environmental exposures and comorbidities underscore the complexity of Parkinsons aetiologyrdquo Dr Aashka saidldquoEarly detection and effective management of Parkinsons disease play a pivotal role in enhancing symptom management slowing down disease advancement and averting complications thereby enhancing the patients overall quality of liferdquo added Dr Sanjay Pandey HoD Neurology and Stroke Medicine Amrita Hospital FaridabadThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever