The popular presenter, Frank Elstner (77) is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He got the diagnosis three years ago, said Elstner in an Interview with the weekly newspaper “die Zeit”. “Except for my family and my best friend, I have told it yet to anyone.” Now and again he will feel a muscle, neck and back pain, he explained. “I’m trying to take the thing as light as possible, and not sink into self-pity,” said Elstner. The 77-Year-old was due to shows like “Wetten, dass..?”, “Do you understand fun?” and “Monday painter,” to an audience of millions.
Parkinson’s is a nervous motor disorder, which particularly affects older people. The cause of the shaking palsy disease referred to the death of nerve cells in the brain. You then produce dopamine more, with the help of which the body normally controls movements. Numerous disturbances are the consequence of: Trembling, tense muscles as well as gait and balance disorders. Add to this a quiet and monotonous speech, as well as a rigid Facial expression. Additional symptoms may be sleep disturbances, depression, and mental impairment, to dementia.
The disease is named after the English doctor James Parkinson named, has described the movement disorder in 1817, for the first time. Parkinson’s disease is, after Alzheimer’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. In the Federal Republic of data are ill, according to the health Insurance for about 400,000 people in the incurable Suffering, writes the German Parkinson’s society. The patients are in the diagnosis of, an average of 60 years old. Men are affected more often than women. As risk factors for Parkinson’s disease at a higher age and a genetic predisposition of apply.
Therapy in Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease can currently be cured. For Ill treatment but are options available, such as medication, physical therapy, Speech therapy, but also surgical procedures. The goal of therapy is to maintain the independence of the patient as long as possible and to prevent the need for care.
Anger at the disease, he does not feel “at all,” said Elstner, who has only recently made its 77. Celebrated the birthday. “I have many friends who have previously died – why should I have as fury? Every year that comes now, is for me a bonus year.” Only the reactions of the people of the Entertainer’s afraid: “what I’m afraid of, is that in the future, everyone looks at the Restaurant, whether I’m shaking already,” said Elstner. “I hope that a certain degree of naturalness finds its way: I’m shaking.”
