SHREVEPORT, La. — Parkinson’s illness is a neurodegenerative situation marked by nerve harm within the mind, inflicting dopamine ranges to drop. The illness causes an lack of ability to maneuver, together with tremor, freezing and plenty of different debilitating signs over time.
In accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Nationwide Heart for Well being Statistics, Louisiana ranks within the high proportion of Parkinson’s illness mortality within the U.S. In truth, in 2020 Louisiana ranked within the high three, with 12.1 deaths per 100,000.
Ochsner LSU Well being Shreveport neurosurgeon Dr. Jamie Toms says the reason for Parkinson’s just isn’t identified. However there are a number of elements that would contribute to Louisiana’s excessive numbers, together with household historical past and environmental points.
“Is it the familial trigger in that we’ve got those that dwell right here who get it quite a bit, and in order that trickles down? Is it environmental elements with all the agriculture and all of the issues persons are uncovered to? You recognize, I don’t know if we all know an actual cause for that,” Toms stated. “There’s quite a lot of well being disparity in Louisiana. So, I do suppose that performs somewhat bit into it.”
Researchers imagine sure pesticides and industrial chemical compounds generally is a contributing issue, together with untreated nicely water.
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For extra info on Parkinson’s illness, go to www.ktbs.com/well being.