From the Research
Living near a golf course does not appear to significantly increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. While there have been concerns about pesticide exposure from golf courses potentially contributing to neurological disorders, current scientific evidence does not establish a clear causal relationship between proximity to golf courses and Parkinson's disease 1. Some studies have suggested associations between certain agricultural pesticides and increased Parkinson's risk, but golf courses typically use different management practices and chemical applications than agricultural settings.
Key Considerations
- If you live near a golf course and are concerned, you can take precautionary measures such as keeping windows closed during spraying, washing produce from home gardens thoroughly, and using home water filtration systems if you use well water.
- It's also important to focus on established Parkinson's prevention strategies like regular exercise, a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, avoiding head injuries, and limiting exposure to known environmental toxins.
- A community-based golf and exercise program for individuals with Parkinson's disease has been shown to improve golf performance and quality of life 1.
Treatment Options
- For patients with Parkinson's disease, levodopa combined with carbidopa is still the most effective treatment for symptoms 2.
- Dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole, can be used alone before the introduction of levodopa or as an adjunct to levodopa 3.
- Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel has been shown to provide long-term safety and efficacy in advanced Parkinson's disease patients 4.
Recommendations
- If you have a family history of Parkinson's or notice symptoms like tremors, stiffness, or balance problems, consult with a neurologist regardless of where you live.
- Consider participating in a community-based golf and exercise program to improve quality of life and golf performance 1.