Former NFL MVP Brett Favre announces Parkinson’s diagnosis to Congress
While testifying before Congress about the misuse of social security funds, former NFL quarterback Brett Favre revealed that he suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
Brett Favre revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease during his testimony before the House Budget Committee. The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback appeared before the committee as part of an investigation into a major welfare case in Mississippi involving his connection to Prevacus, a company that makes a concussion drug.
“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I thought was developing a breakthrough concussion drug that I thought would help others,” Favre said. “I’m sure you’ll understand that while it’s too late for me because I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, this is also a cause that is close to my heart.”
“A cause that is close to my heart”: Brett Favre announces Parkinson’s diagnosis during congressional hearing
Here’s what you should know about Parkinson’s disease:
What is Parkinson’s disease?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Parkinson’s is a brain disease that causes movement disorders, mental health problems, sleep disorders, pain and other health problems. The WHO does not know the cause of Parkinson’s, but a family history of the disease increases the risk. The organization also points out that exposure to pesticides, air pollution and solvents can also increase the risk.
Parkinson’s can affect younger people, but typically occurs in older adults. Men are also more likely to be affected than women.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms, treatment
According to the WHO, the most visible symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are motor symptoms such as tremors, difficulty walking, involuntary movements, stiffness and balance problems. Other symptoms include dementia, sleep disorders, mental disorders and cognitive impairment.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Instead, therapies can be used to reduce symptoms and the impact on daily life. The WHO lists levodopa/carbidopa – a drug that increases the amount of dopamine in the brain – as the most commonly used drug for Parkinson’s disease. Deep brain stimulation can also help reduce tremors and the need for medication, according to the WHO.
Rehabilitation can also improve quality of life. Strength training, hydrotherapy, and gait and balance training are the most important options listed by the WHO.
The Parkinson’s Foundation is leading the global study PD GENERation: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease to help people understand their risk for the disease. Participation is free and the Parkinson’s Foundation aims to use this study to accelerate research and clinical trials.
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Remarkable people diagnosed with Parkinson’s
Favre is the latest of many celebrities to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Perhaps the most well-known celebrity is Michael J. Fox, who announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998 and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation to invest in research for a cure.
According to the Parkinson Foundation, the following people have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s:
- Alan Alda (diagnosed 2015)
- Muhammad Ali (1984)
- Neil Diamond (2018)
- Pastor Jesse Jackson (2015)
- Richard Lewis (2021)
- Ozzy Osbourne (2019)
- Pope John Paul II (1991)
- Linda Ronstadt (2012)
