the story of Michael J. Fox and his life with Parkinson’s disease.

In his recent biographical documentary, Still: A Michael J. Fox Film, the artist decides to inform in first person how he lives along with his complex condition. The Canadian-American actor, known for his starring role within the Back to the Future trilogy, has built a parallel profession as an activist for Parkinson’s disease research.

The Marty McFly interpreter has suffered from this neurodegenerative disorder for greater than 30 years.

“Still”: Michael J. Fox’s life, profession and activism

On Friday, May 12, the documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, directed by Davis Guggenheim, premiered on Apple TV. With rave reviews since its release, the production reveals first-person details of Fox’s life and profession. Nonetheless, it also places the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at its center.

At just 29 years old, doctors warned Michael in regards to the disorder. Little time had elapsed since his worldwide success with Back to the Future, so he confessed to being in denial at first. Nonetheless, in 1998 he made his condition public and, 2 years later, created the Michael J. Fox Foundation, geared toward researching the disease.

What symptoms did Michael J. Fox have at first?

The actor said he felt the primary symptoms in his little finger, while he was working on the filming of the movie Doc Hollywood. It is a common manifestation during the early stages of the disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative pathology that affects nerve cells or neurons, reducing the production of dopamine.

This causes different motor symptoms, which worsen because the disease progresses, because it’s a chronic and irreversible condition. A few of its most frequent symptoms are the next.

• Tremors
• Muscle stiffness
• Postural instability
• Speech and writing difficulties
• Slowing or lack of movement

What’s the extent of Parkinson’s disease?

In accordance with the book Parkinson’s Disease: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features, it’s such a fancy condition that the precise mechanisms aren’t yet fully understood. Experts indicate that it’s the second most typical neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, especially affecting people over 60 years old.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2019 that greater than 8.5 million people suffer from it on the planet. While the location parkinson.org establishes a figure of 10 million. As for the aspects involved within the onset of the disease, they’re diverse and include genetic and environmental conditions.

Because the aforementioned publication suggests, age is the largest risk factor, but in addition certain habits, equivalent to smoking and caffeine consumption, in addition to genetic issues. Nonetheless, the present evidence isn’t sufficient to ascertain determinant risk aspects, beyond genetic ones.

Prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Even though it’s a disease related to genetics and has no defined cure, different healthy habits could help to stop it. For instance:

• Eating a balanced weight loss program
• Avoiding consumption of tobacco and alcohol
• Doing physical activity
• Getting good sleep

Alternatively, a study published within the journal Brain Sciences showed that dancing has positive effects on the mental well-being and motor skills of patients. The treatment of Parkinson’s disease is normally characterised by the administration of medication geared toward restoring the extent of dopamine.

For instance, levodopa, with which Fox has been controlling his condition for years. Nonetheless, studies suggest that levodopa treatment loses effectiveness over time. Due to this fact, a rise within the dosage is known as for.

As well as, in 1998, the actor underwent a thalamotomy. It is a surgical operation that consists of removing a small a part of the thalamus, which controls certain involuntary movements.

“Still” reflects the work of Michael J. Fox within the fight against Parkinson’s

All these reasons make it particularly essential for organizations that proceed to work to find recent treatments for the disease. On this regard, the outreach work carried out by Michael J. Fox during his profession has received a brand new impetus with the discharge of the documentary.

The actor has received several awards for his work with the inspiration, which has raised greater than 1.2 billion dollars. The muse is answerable for funding research and providing support to Parkinson’s patients.

A couple of years ago, Fox had already published a book entitled Lucky Man, through which he discusses some features of the disease and its treatment. Nonetheless, in Still, the distinguished actor presents a brand new and large opportunity to boost awareness through his personal story.

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