Ozzy Osbourne reveals he has Parkinson's Disease
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
The rockstar from Birmingham was taking part in an interview with his family when he revealed that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after a fall last February (2019).
"It's been terribly challenging for us all," he told Good Morning America.
"It's PRKN 2," his wife, Sharon Osbourne, added. "There's so many different types of Parkinson's; it's not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. It's like you have a good day, a good day, and then a really bad day."
Ozzy also revealed that he is currently taking Parkinson's medication, and that alongside his family, his fans are a source of support, and he misses them "so much."
"They're my air, you know," he said about his fans. "I feel better. I've owned up to the fact that I have -- a case of Parkinson's. And I just hope they hang on and they're there for me because I need them."
It's estimated that Parkinson's affects 1 in 350 people and there are currently 145,000 people with the condition in the UK as of 2018.
What is Parkinson's?
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time.
The disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain, which leads to problems with movement.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually develop gradually and are mild at first and include:
Tremors – shaking, which usually begins in the hand or arm and is more likely to occur when the limb is relaxed and resting.
Slowness of movement – physical movements are much slower than normal, which can make everyday tasks difficult and can result in a distinctive slow, shuffling walk with very small steps.
Muscle stiffness – stiffness and tension in the muscles, which can make it difficult to move around and make facial expressions, and can result in painful muscle cramps.
Depression and anxiety
Other symptoms include having balance problems, losing your sense of smell and have problems going to the toilet. For more information visit the NHS website.
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