The truth about most diseases is that they are often a series of symptoms or pathologies that a medical committee often named after a researcher that discovered it. Disease classifications allow for drug companies to develop drugs for the problem. Often these treatments are costly, non curative and offer little long term hope although emerging research may be offering us some potential for cures or treatments in the future that are far more effective than what is currently available. What I find after 40 years in practice is that different people develop the disease differently, and this and other diseases may actually be categories of conditions that may have a similar end result or cellular pathology. A recent article in the NY Times suggests that the insecticide Paraquat may be resulting in a rise of Parkinson’s cases we see today. 90,000 cases occur each year and some scientists are suggesting that we have been poisoning ourselves over the years and that Parkinson’s which is a neurodegenerative disease may actually be a result of the accumulation of these chemicals in the body. As discussed in the article; Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other Lewy body diseases (LBDs) are neurodegenerative disorders that affect movement, thinking, and overall brain function. These diseases are associated with the abnormal accumulation of a protein called α-synuclein, which forms clumps known as Lewy bodies inside nerve cells. You can read the entire article below The Clue to Unlocking Parkinson’s May Be All Around Us Other more recent research is now providing strong evidence that the disease is actually linked to kidney disease and dysfunction. According to an article in “knowledge”, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other Lewy body diseases (LBDs) are neurodegenerative disorders that affect movement, thinking, and overall brain function. These diseases are associated with the abnormal accumulation of a protein called α-synuclein, which forms clumps known as Lewy bodies inside nerve cells. Growing evidence suggests that often the disease begins in the gut which may be the connection between insecticides and the disease although, as they reported from a study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the disease may travel from the kidney to the brain causing neurodegeneration and the symptoms of the disease. You can read more about this research below New research links kidney failure to Parkinson’s disease Which is the true cause and how can we come up with treatments or better yet, cures for the disease. My cousin Natan who was a brilliant pediatrician was retired early due to the disease and he now being cared for by family due to difficulties with walking, speech and balance. Time will tell.