News & Information

No one really knows what causes Parkinson’s disease, but scientists have identified a number of risk factors. If you have any of the following characteristics, you may be more likely to contract Parkinson’s  -- and it might be a wise idea for you to protect yourself financially by purchasing a critical illness insurance policy (available on CancerPlans.com).

You might be at risk for Parkinson’s disease if you are:

Over 50. The older you get, the greater your chance for Parkinson’s disease. However, younger people occasionally contract Parkinson’s, too.

A man. Overall, males are diagnosed with Parkinson’s more frequently than females are. This might be because men encounter toxic chemicals or head trauma more often than women do – or it might be because estrogen has some type of protective effect.

Related to someone with Parkinson’s. If you have a close relative with Parkinson’s, your own risk for contracting the disease increases – which leads scientists to suspect that there may be a genetic reason for Parkinson’s. According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, the gene alpha-synuclein may contribute to Parkinson’s disease.

Post-menopausal. If you have had a hysterectomy, you are also at a higher risk.

Exposed to agricultural chemicals. Herbicides and pesticides inhibit dopamine production, leading to a higher incidence of Parkinson’s.

A head trauma victim. People who have experienced trauma to the head, neck or upper spine are at a much higher risk for Parkinson’s disease, even years after the incident.

(1) http://www.parkinsons.org/parkinsons-risk-factors.html