SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — With April designated as Parkinson’s Awareness Month, farmers may be interested in knowing that pesticides may be a link for farmers developing the disease.

 

Researchers are finding that environmental exposure to pesticides may increase the chance for farmers and other agricultural workers to develop the disease, which on average affects 1 in 1,000 people over the age of 60. Parkinson’s is the second-most diagnosed neurological disease, following Alzheimer’s.

 

A 2014 article in Scientific American confirmed farmers are more prone to Parkinson’s than the general population, and the authors believed some pesticides are to blame. A study conducted over a 10-year span showed an association between pesticide exposure and higher risk of the disease.

 

To help prevent the chances of developing the disease, farmers should limit pesticide exposure, use masks and clean up spills. Dr. Glen Aylward, who teaches martial arts classes for Parkinson’s patients, said the disease hits mainly seniors over 60 and causes patients to lose the ability to move, to stay balanced and, sometimes, to lose strength in their voice.

 

“It is a degenerative condition and as more people live longer, the numbers should increase,” he said. “The cause of Parkinson’s is a lack of enough dopamine in the brain. By the time Parkinson’s shows up, the patient has lost 50 percent of the neurons that produce it. “All you can do is treat the disease with medication that allows dopamine to be available in the brain.”

 

The research study referenced in Scientific American explained some pesticides damage the nerves that produce dopamine, more specifically the substantia nigra in the brain stem.

 

Parkinson’s was reported for the first time in 1817 by British apothecary James Parkinson. The disease was named in 1865 by William Sanders for Parkinson. While we are not sure what causes Parkinson’s, Aylward said, “Some may have a genetic predisposition, which is then triggered by something in the environment. This is called an epigenetics.

 

“The first symptoms are slow movement, shuffling, rigidity, instability, bad posture, small handwriting and a soft voice.” As for how fast the disease progresses, he said this varies by patient. “Sometimes it moves quickly, but most of the time it takes decades. I have some students in their seventies and eighties in my class.”

 

The good news for farmers with Parkinson’s is even though there is no “cure,” Aylward said several studies have showed that symptoms improve with exercise. “Martial arts help improve balance, flexibility, muscle tone, coordination, mobility, speed, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

 

“I also believe this helps muscle memory set up new synapses, because in martial arts we use both sides of the brain. Exercise helps reduce cognitive complications and has a practical application; it may help the individual ward off an attacker as well,” he explained.

 

The martial arts classes for Parkinson’s patients are relatively new. “I started this last summer. I have promoted some students for their effort, determination and the progress they have made, so there are a lot of yellow belts now.”

 

What brings great joy to Aylward is watching his students and connecting with them: “I like watching these folks fight back and their camaraderie; it is very impressive.”

 

For those who don’t want to go the martial arts route, he said there are several other options including yoga, dance and a program through the YMCA/Sportscare called Rock Steady boxing that may also help Parkinson’s patients improve and reduce symptoms. 

 

For more information about what may available in other areas, contact your local Parkinson’s support group or visit

www.pdf.org/support_list