Singer-songwriter Carly Simon recently revealed she is battling Parkinson’s disease.
In a statement released Monday, the “You’re So Vain” singer shared that she stepped out of the spotlight because it’s “taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly.”
The 83-year-old also revealed that she underwent treatment for basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, on her face after her Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Simon first experienced arthritis in one hip and both knees, resulting in replacement surgeries for all three joints. But despite those procedures, she continued to experience a decline in mobility.
After the two-time Grammy winner — who also announced a new album, “Comes in Waves” — underwent “an extensive evaluation” at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, she was diagnosed.
While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, a variety of treatments, including physical therapy and medications, can help manage symptoms. Simon said she is taking medication “to help with stiffness and other symptoms.”
Below is everything to know about the neurological disorder, which affects more than 10 million people worldwide, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is long-term brain disorder that progressively worsens over time and primarily affects movement.
It often begins with tremors, stiffness or slowed movement and typically develops after age 60, although some people develop early-onset Parkinson’s before age 50.
There are two types of Parkinson’s disease:
- Idiopathic: The most common form, in which the exact cause is unknown.
- Familial (genetic): a rarer form caused by inherited gene changes.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
The exact cause of the most common form of Parkinson’s remains unknown, although researchers have a leading theory involving brain cells.
The current understanding is that certain brain cells responsible for producing dopamine gradually stop functioning or die.
Often called the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, dopamine also plays a critical role in movement, coordination, mood, pain processing, memory and other functions.
As dopamine levels decline, the brain struggles to send signals that control movement, leading to symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and slowed movement.
People over 60, men, those with a family history of Parkinson’s and people with long-term exposure to metals like manganese or pesticides may face an increased the risk of developing the disease.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Symptoms usually develop gradually and often begin on just one side of the body.
Early signs can include slowed movement, tremors or shaking in the arms, hands or legs, muscle stiffness, poor balance or posture, cramped handwriting and reduced facial movement.
Over time, symptoms often spread to both sides of the body.
As the disease progresses, non-movement symptoms may develop, including depression, anxiety, loss of smell, sleep problems, mood changes, constipation or other digestive issues, drooling, hallucinations and sexual dysfunction.
Symptoms vary widely from person to person, something Simon acknowledged in her statement.
“Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all,” she wrote. “On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself.”
Parkinson’s can also lead to additional complications, including cognitive decline, automatic nervous system problems, mental health challenges, falls and injuries and loss of independence.
How is Parkinson’s disease treated?
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, several different treatments can help manage symptoms, including medications, therapies and supportive care.
Medications are typically the first line of treatment and work by replacing or increasing dopamine activity. These include carbidopa–levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, amantadine and anticholinergic medications.
Other options, such as infusion therapies, provide a continuous supply of medication and may be recommended when symptoms are no longer adequately controlled with oral medications.
Physical, occupational and speech therapy can help improve walking, balance, speech, swallowing and the ability to perform everyday activities, allowing people to remain active and independent for as long as possible.
Healthy lifestyle habits can also make a difference. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and maintaining a strong support system may all help manage symptoms.
What is the outlook?
Parkinson’s disease gradually worsens over time, although the rate at which symptoms progress varies from person to person.
While Parkinson’s itself is not considered fatal, it can lead to serious complications affecting balance, thinking, speech and swallowing. As a result, people with the disease may have a shorter life expectancy than those without it.
