Hahhaa.
/reaches for the gingko supplements
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More young here hit by Parkinson's
Gracia Chiang
[email protected]
DOCTORS are seeing more young people diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease, a degenerative disease usually associated with
ageing.
.
In fact, of the 5,000 to 7,000 cases diagnosed in Singapore, 15 to
20 per cent are patients below the age of 40, said senior
consultant neurologist Dr Tan Eng King at a press conference
yesterday on World Parkinson's Disease Day.
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He told Today he has seen a 10-to-20-per-cent jump in the number of
new diagnoses in that age group over the last two years at the
Singapore General Hospital.
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Why this is happening is unclear, but Dr Tan said this makes early
diagnosis and treatment even more important.
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"A young student might think it is just their nature to be slow in
their movement, or someone who has tremors may think it is because
of anxiety," he said.
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Parkinson's is a brain disorder that manifests itself in
uncontrollable shaking, stiffness in the limbs and slowness of
movement. There is currently no cure but the symptoms can be
managed through medication and surgery.
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Another consultant neurologist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital also said
he was "beginning to see more cases of younger patients".
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However, Dr Au Wing Lok noted that this could be because "more of
them are aware (of the condition) and are coming forward".
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A local study in 2004 found that the disease affects three out of
every 1,000 Singaporeans aged 50 and above. While there has not
been a similar study done among younger Singaporeans, Dr Louis Tan
from the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) suggested that
research could focus instead on the genetic causes of the disease
as it has been found that a greater proportion of younger people
with Parkinson's carry gene mutations.
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Last year, Singapore and Taiwan researchers identified a mutated
gene that doubles the chance of developing the disease and,
interestingly, is found in people of Chinese descent.
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More genetic information will "allow doctors to confirm the
diagnosis in some patients earlier" and to counsel patients on the
risks of their children having the disease, said Dr Tan Eng
King.
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Meanwhile, a three-day international symposium on the disease will
be held here in October. It will include workshops on
rehabilitation therapy and nursing.
Gracia Chiang
[email protected]
