The Parkinson disease affects approximately 6.3 million people worldwide; in France, it would be responsible for 3500 deaths each year. Extremely rare before the age of 45, this neurodegenerative pathology is characterized by the progressive destruction of a particular category of neurons in the brain: the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra.
In France, 1% of people over the age of 65 would be affected: it is the second neurodegenerative disease in France after Alzheimer’s disease. Parkinson’s disease evolves slowly: patients remain asymptomatic until 50% to 70% of the targeted neurons are destroyed. Then, tremors (of the hands and arms, especially), akinesia (slowness and difficulty in coordinating movements) and/or hypertonia (abnormal rigidity of the muscles) may appear*.
Strengthen muscles, work on balance
According to a new study conducted by the University of Stavanger (in Norway), 25% of newly diagnosed patients experience a fall during the first year following the discovery of their disease. In addition, 70% of patients affected by Parkinson’s disease for at least 16 years have already experienced one or more serious falls.
“We found that, in patients diagnosed for a long time, falls were frequent,” explain the Norwegian researchers. This is a problem that must be anticipated as soon as possible, ideally during the first year following the diagnosis. »
To prevent falls, Norwegian scientists advise patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease to practice… tai chi. “This Asian discipline is gentle on the body: the risk of injury is low. In addition, it strengthens the tone of the muscles of the lower limbs and allows work on the balance of the person. Based on these criteria, we imagine that it also works with yoga and Qigong. To try…
*Source: Inserm
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