However, success in Fox’s career was present for a few years until the actor’s health was affected and although he fought against a degenerative disease such as Parkinson’s and even continued to work, now with his advanced age the damage is evident in his motor skills. .
At a recent event he appeared with the actor Christopher Lloyd83, from the trilogy “Return to the future”during that event it was possible to perceive the state with which Fox lives, without a doubt it was a very emotional moment for lovers of the saga.
When was Michael J. Fox diagnosed with Parkinson’s?
The actor of Canadian origin is currently 61 years old (June 9, 1961), and being only 29 years old, Parkinson’s was detected. He though he would not share the news with the public until seven years later. By disclosing his condition in 1998, he committed himself to the campaign to increase Parkinson’s disease research. Fox announced his retirement from the sitcom “Spin City” in January 2000, beginning at the end of its fourth season at the 100th episode.
Michael J. Fox and Parkinson’s disease
“Of course, with Parkinson’s disease you take one step forward and two steps back, but I learned that the fundamental thing is that each step is important,” said the actor in one of his conferences to talk about this disease.
In 2000, the actor launched a foundation in which he gives support and information to people in North America for families and people who live with this condition.
Actor’s Foundation for People with Parkinson’s
Within the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a study was managed and financially supported to follow up the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative. It is collecting multi-year data from more than 1,500 people with and without the disease to find a biomarker.
The “biomarker” being sought is intended to reveal the risk, presence or progression of the disease. For comparison, it could be the case that a biomarker in other diseases is how cholesterol helps doctors diagnose and monitor the progression of heart disease.
Parkinson’s symptoms
Parkinson’s has a very different picture for each person. People can manifest different symptoms, and the severity of those that appear in each case is variable.
The three “cardinal” motor or movement symptoms are slowness of movement (bradykinesia), rigidity, and tremor at rest. It is not a requirement that all three symptoms be present, and not all people with Parkinson’s have tremors. Some people also have problems walking or difficulties with balance and coordination (postural instability).
Non-motor or movement-related symptoms are sometimes called “invisible” symptoms of Parkinson’s because they cannot be seen from the outside. Non-motor symptoms can occur at any time in the course of the disease (even before movement symptoms or diagnosis), differ in severity from person to person, and affect the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and their families . These may include, but are not limited to, constipation, depression, and memory or sleep problems.
In any case, these are not decisive to ensure that it is Parkinson’s, it is important that the relevant studies are done with a movement specialist, since this condition is not determined by clinical blood studies, EEG or other type of study can give a conclusive diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease, this is subject to the development of discomfort.