Silent Tremors: What is Parkinson’s Disease & What Can We Do About It
- Aishwarya Kadavil
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
I remember looking through an old photo album with my father, and seeing an image of my grandmother, smiling with the glow of youth, surrounded by friends. She was beautiful. She was healthy. She was standing.
More than 15 years ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. You may have heard the name before, but the true implication of such a diagnosis is never understood. Unlike more known diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer, not many people know what Parkinson’s is, but it is important to understand despite all the silence it is given, because it is just as common, and serious, as diseases like cancer.
Parkinson's is the world’s fastest growing and most severe neurological condition, affecting over 10 million people worldwide, including my grandmother. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. PD patients go from being a seemingly normal person, to becoming unable to do even simple tasks. After over 20 years of having Parkinson’s disease, my grandmother has gone from sharing funny stories with me, to now barely talking at all. And the biggest problem: Parkinson’s doesn’t have a cure.
Let’s dive into the sciences behind PD: Parkinson’s causes nerve cells to weaken, become damaged, and die, leading to symptoms that include problems with movement, tremor, stiffness, and impaired balance, with tremors being the most common. As symptoms progress, people with PD may have difficulty walking, talking, and completing other simple tasks.
Even though Parkinson’s affects many parts of the brain, the most common symptoms occur because of a part of the brain that produces a vital chemical messenger: dopamine. This transmits signals in the brain to produce smooth movement. Studies have shown that most people with PD have lost 60 to 80% or more of the dopamine-producing cells by the time symptoms appear, which leads to the lack of movement and function for Parkinson’s patients.
So, with all critical changes a PD patient has, there surely is some effort to aid this, right? Good news: There is! Over 3,900 clinical trials have been conducted to test drugs and therapy strategies for Parkinson’s Disease. There are organizations that do things from fundraisers to even specialized dance classes for PD patients!
2025 saw one of the largest research years for Parkinson’s ever. Researchers have begun using new imaging methods that work towards tracking disease progression objectively rather than guessing. A research group identified some key aspects in PD patients’ brain tissues that revealed visible signs of Parkinson’s long before symptoms appeared, marking a turning point for diagnosing and treating the disease. Some researchers are investigating viral or environmental contributors to Parkinson’s development,, and new speech therapy research aims to improve communication and quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s. All these different methods aim to support one goal: Moving one step closer to helping Parkinson’s patients.
In addition to research, money helps too. Organizations like the Parkinson’s Foundation have awarded millions of dollars in research grants supporting new studies.
But what can be done from here to create massive change, like a cure, for PD? The answer, as it seems to be a lot lately, is in AI. Researchers at the University of Florida created a software that will help clinicians differentially diagnose Parkinson’s disease and similar conditions. UCSF researchers have also developed an AI system to analyse symptom severity in patients. With a combination of expert human diagnosis and AI analysis, Parkinson’s Disease is on the track to becoming diagnosed, treated, and hopefully, fully cured because of technology.
For over 20 years, my family has been witnessing the harsh effects of PD through my grandmother, affecting us as much as her. For the majority of my life, I have not been able to see my grandmother walking. Because the disease doesn’t have a cure, millions of patients are having to slowly, but surely, succumb to the pain PD is causing. Me, and thousands of other family members won’t be able to enjoy fulfilling moments, create meaningful memories, or even learn my grandmother’s favorite recipe, all because of Parkinson’s Disease. With more knowledge about Parkinson’s, I hope that you will be influenced to think more about what we can do in order to help these people, and move forward with the knowledge that there is still something that can be done to stop the tremors they face.
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I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago. For over two years, I relied on Levodopa and several other medications, but unfortunately, the symptoms kept getting worse. The tremors became more noticeable, and my balance and mobility started to decline quickly. Last year, out of desperation and hope, I decided to try a herbal treatment program from Uine Health Center. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but within a few months of starting the treatment, I began to notice real changes. My movements became smoother, the tremors subsided, and I felt steadier on my feet. Incredibly, I also regained much of my energy and confidence. It’s been a life-changing experience I feel more like myself again, better than I’ve…