A new study has detailed the reason why people who live near a golf course may have double the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
An estimated 10 million people are living with Parkinson's disease worldwide, and that is expected to rise to 20 million by 2050.
Some 90,000 new cases of the disease, which happens when parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, are diagnosed annually.
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There are some factors that could contribute to the development of Parkinson's, with one recent study finding that living within one mile of a golf course could double your chances.
Researchers from the US believe pesticides used to keep greens and fairways in perfect golfing condition could be the reason for the alarming data.
The experts from Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona looked into health data of people who live near to a whopping 139 golf courses across southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
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Shockingly, experts discovered that those living within a one mile radius of a golf course have a 126 percent higher chance of being diagnosed with Parkinson's compared to those within a six-mile perimeter.
The team also found that within that, each mile away from the greens reduces an individual's chances of developing Parkinson's by 13 percent.
Speaking of the findings, Dr Brittany Krzyzanowski penned in the journal Jama Network Open: "These findings suggest that pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of Parkinson’s disease for nearby residents.
“Public health policies to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and airborne exposure from pesticides on golf courses may help reduce risk of Parkinson’s disease in nearby neighbourhoods.”
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Findings have also suggested pesticides from golf courses can pollute groundwater, while some pesticides were linked to linked to Parkinson’s.
Research lead at Parkinson's UK, Dr Katherine Fletcher, said: "Parkinson’s is complex. The causes of the condition are unclear and are likely to involve both genetic and environmental factors.
“Many studies have investigated whether pesticides increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s in different populations around the world.
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"The results have been varied, but overall suggest that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of the condition."
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease typically develop gradually and are mild at first - but that doesn't mean there aren't some early signs to keep in mind of.
Some of the main symptoms impact physical movement, including a tremor, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
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Meanwhile, other symptoms include balance problems, nerve pain and loss of smell.
Topics: Health
Callum Jones