Parkinson’s diagnosis: when the body refuses to work

Updated January 22, 2020, 2:44 p.m.

On the US television program “Good Morning America” ​​Ozzy Osbourne announces that he has Parkinson’s. But what exactly happens in the body with the disease?

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The hands are trembling, at some point speaking is hardly possible. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s is a severe blow. Singer Ozzy Osbourne also suffers from the disease, as he now explained on a talk show.

Parkinson’s, also known as shaking palsy, is one of the most destructive diseases of the nervous system. It arises when certain nerve cells in the brain die. The cells produce the messenger substance dopamine. Among other things, this substance is a transmitter for movement sequences. Without him, difficulties arise. As soon as more than half of the cells have died, the first signs of the disease appear.

Tremors and tense muscles

Parkinson’s not only manifests itself through tremors, but also through stiff or tense muscles. Arms and legs can only be moved with difficulty, sometimes this does not work without outside help. Speaking is also affected, many find it difficult to speak aloud or to emphasize the language.

According to the German Parkinson’s Society, around 4.1 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s, including up to 280,000 people in Germany. Why people get it has not yet been researched. Scientists suspect that inheritance and environmental toxins play a role.

Parkinson’s so far incurable

Older people in particular are affected. On average, Parkinson’s disease breaks out between the ages of 50 and 60. Only about one in ten patients is younger than 40. Prevention is possible. According to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, it can help to exercise moderately every day. This effect can be measured most clearly in men.

Parkinson’s cannot be cured at the moment. That is why the symptoms and side effects such as depression are treated with medication. According to the German Parkinson Society, physiotherapy, logo and occupational therapy are also used.

A kind of pacemaker is also used in the brain. This implant is used to help improve symptoms and reduce the number of medications patients need.

Celebrities with Parkinson’s

In addition to Ozzy Osbourne, other celebrities have already announced their Parkinson’s disease. Michael J. Fox, the actor of Marty McFly from “Back to the Future”, noticed his illness at the age of 30.

Heavy weight boxer Muhammad Ali was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984. Five years later, the triple world champion founded the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. This specializes not only in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s patients, but also in the research of the disease.

Ottfried Fischer also stated in 2008 that he had Parkinson’s. “Don’t worry, I don’t do shaking rhymes,” he said self-ironically.

Moderator Frank Elstner also has Parkinson’s. The moderator told the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” at the beginning of 2019: “I try to take the matter as lightly as possible and not to sink into self-pity.” (Updated by awa)