Carly Simon reveals Parkinsons diagnosis: What to know about the incurable disorder affecting millions worldwide

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.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: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 ...