A Consultant Neurologist, Nkechi Obianozie, has warned that individuals with a family history of Parkinson’s disease may face a heightened risk when exposed to harmful agricultural pesticides.
Obianozie, of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, gave the warning in an interview in Abuja, raising concerns about the growing impact of environmental factors on neurological health.
She explained that exposure to certain pesticides could contribute to the onset or progression of Parkinson’s disease, particularly among people with underlying genetic susceptibility.
According to her, some pesticides contain neurotoxic substances capable of damaging the nervous system, thereby increasing the likelihood of developing the condition over time.
The neurologist described Parkinson’s disease as a disorder caused by the gradual degeneration of brain cells responsible for producing dopamine, a chemical essential for movement and coordination.
She noted that the condition often results from a combination of genetic and environmental influences, is more prevalent in people aged 65 and above, and the risk increases with advancing age.
Obianozie added that early symptoms, such as stiffness, shuffling gait, tremors, loss of smell, constipation and sleep disturbances, are frequently overlooked in the initial stages.
While there is currently no cure, she said the disease can be effectively managed with medication, enabling patients to maintain a good quality of life.
She also urged the public to avoid stigma, stressing that Parkinson’s disease is not linked to spiritual causes but is a medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.
NAN
