What seems like aging could be Parkinson’s disease, experts say

As South Korea rapidly ages, Parkinson’s disease is emerging alongside dementia and stroke as one of the country’s fastest growing neurological conditions. The number of patients has risen by nearly 50 percent over the past decade, and experts warn that the upward trend is likely to accelerate. Named for British physician James Parkinson, who first identified the disease, Parkinson’s is a degenerative brain disorder characterized by motor symptoms caused by the decline of dopamine-producing nerve cells. While there is no known cure, regular exercise and early intervention can help slow its progression. April 11, Parkinson’s birthday, is designated as World Parkinson’s Day annually. According to data released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on Monday, the number of Parkinson’s patients in Korea increased from 84,333 in 2014 to 125,526 in 2023. Of these, 116,723 patients were over the age of 65, meaning 93 percent of patients are elderly. “The number of cases will continue to rise sharply as Korean society enters a super-aged phase,” said Park Jung-hoWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times