Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research:
“Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at age 29. Since then he has been a powerful advocate for the Parkinson’s community. In 1998 he founded theMichael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) with a singular focus: finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease within our lifetime.
MJFF has invested more than $800 million in drug development and sustaining support for the Parkinson’s community since inception. We are laser-focused on our target: one day ending Parkinson’s for good.”
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and the nervous system. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be mild or severe and progression of the disease varies from person to person.
There is no one stage of Parkinson’s disease as the disease progression varies from person to person. However there are five main stages of Parkinson’s disease which are characterized by different symptoms:
Stage 1: Mild Symptoms
In stage 1 the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are mild and do not typically interfere with daily life. The main symptom is usually tremor or shaking in one hand when it is at rest. Other early symptoms may include:
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss of smell
• Constipation
Stage 2: Moderate Symptoms
In stage 2 the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are more pronounced and may begin to interfere with daily life. In addition to tremor other symptoms may include:
• Muscle rigidity
• Slowed movement
• Impaired balance
• Impaired speech
• Dementia
Stage 3: Severe Symptoms
In stage 3 the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are severe and can significantly interfere with daily life. In addition to the symptoms of stage 2 other symptoms may include:
• Difficulty swallowing
• choking
• incontinence
• malnutrition
• falls
Stage 4: Advanced Symptoms
In stage 4 the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are very severe and can be debilitating. In addition to the symptoms of stage 3 other symptoms may include:
• Severe mobility impairments
• Severe speech impairments
• complete loss of smell
• complete loss of appetite
• complete loss of motor skills
Stage 5: End-Stage Symptoms
In stage 5 the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are very severe and can be life-threatening. In addition to the symptoms of stage 4 other symptoms may include:
• complete immobility
• extreme malnutrition
• complete loss of cognitive function
• coma
• death
What stage is Michael J.
Fox’s Parkinson’s?
Answer:
Michael J.
Fox is in stage four of Parkinson’s.
