Neil Diamond Was Diagnosed with Parkinson ’s Disease. Here’s What To Know About the Condition

After half a century on the stage, musician Neil Diamond announced on Monday that he’s retiring from touring due to a recent Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Diamond, who turns 77 on Jan. 24, was about to begin the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour. In a statement posted on his website, the “Sweet Caroline” singer said that while he will no longer perform live, he will continue to write and record for “a long time to come.” “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” Diamond said in the statement. “My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.” Here’s what to know about the condition. What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects nervous system function, according to the Mayo Clinic. In people with Parkinson’s, nerve cells in the brain, called neurons, progressively malfunction or die off. This, in turn, prevents the brain from producing enough dopamine, a chemical that acts as a messenger for brain signals that control movement, coordination and other key functions, according to the Cleveland Clinic. What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? Hand tremors are often the first sign that something is wrong, the Mayo Clinic says. Other early sym...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized healthytime medicine Music Neil Diamond neurodegenerative disease onetime Parkinson's Disease Source Type: news