If you grew up in Western PA, you have a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease

PITTSBURGH — If you grew up in Western Pennsylvania, you have a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

Research studies show that we are a hot spot, with the second-highest rates in the country.

Mark Giaquinto of Canonsburg was diagnosed five years ago.

“Tremmors, on just on my left side, at work,” he said, “All of the sudden.”

Recently, he’s started to develop balance issued and muscle stiffness and it’s affected his speech.

“You have to constantly be taking precautions,” Giaquinto said, “my granddaughter... I’m very careful how I move with her”.

A study published last year by the American Academy of Neurology found a link between neurological disorders and air pollution.

They found the Pittsburgh area is part of what’s known as the Parkinson’s Belt, where there’s as much as a 56% greater risk of developing Parkinson’s.

Researchers say it’s due in part to our area’s aging population and our legacy of steel mills, coke ovens, and coal mines.

California is the only region with higher Parkinson’s rates where a correlation has been found with chemicals and toxins in pesticides.

“Metal particles, chemicals, all of that was a major exposure in Pittsburgh," said Dr. Priya Cordone, a Movement Disorders Neurologist with UPMC.

“Downtown Pittsburgh was smog, it was gray, so environmental exposure is likely a risk factor for this area being higher prevalence and higher rates of Parkinson’s Disease combined with that we also have that strong influence of the agricultural economy,” said Cardone.

Judith Billante was diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years ago.

“I was falling in the yard all the time,” said Billante. “And I was falling backwards.”

She grew up in Homestead in the 1950′s, just blocks from the steel mills.

“Some days we would come home covered in coal dust, I never thought a thing of it," said Billante, “And literally, I firmly believe that that’s what happened to me, the fact that this was such a heavily industrial area.”

One million people in the U.S. have Parkinson’s and around 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Parkinson’s Disease destroys neurons in the brain that are essential for controlling movement.

As a result, people may have shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

Symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time which is why doctors prefer to catch and treat it as early has possible.

“You cannot pick out one or two symptoms and just treat those symptoms you have to take a head-to-toe approach to treating Parkinson’s disease,” said Cardone. “Luckily there are about 30 medications that I have at my disposal three surgical treatment options and a variety of comprehensive rehabilitation programs.”

Christine Haythorn is the Executive Director of the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania

She believes there are a lot of people in our area who may have the disease but don’t yet realize it.

“Absolutely,” she said. “No question about it.”

Her organization helps 18,000 Parkinson’s patients in our area with support, services, and advocacy, including the push to track Parkinson’s cases in Pennsylvania and to get insurance companies to cover physical therapy.

“Unlike someone who’s dealing with rotator cuff surgery that can be addressed through physical therapy, people with Parkinson’s Disease progress throughout the disease and the most important thing is to keep people on their feet and out of the hospital," said Haythorn.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group