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Influential economist Alan Greenspan, who served five terms as chairman of the Federal Reserve, died Monday at 100 from complications of Parkinson's disease.Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time, according to Mayo Clinic.Here's what else to know about the diagnosis.Symptoms of Parkinson's diseaseSymptoms generally develop slowly over years and can differ from person to person, according to the Parkinson's Foundation, but can include: TremorsStiffnessSlow movementBalance problemsNon-movement issues like depression or sleep issuesWhat causes Parkinson's disease?The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but several factors seem to play a role, according to Mayo Clinic, including exposure to toxins, genetics, being male (as men are more likely to develop the disease than women) and age (the average age of onset is around 70).It is unclear when Greenspan was diagnosed with the disease, but he was part of a small but growing number of people living to 100 in the United States.Can you treat Parkinson's disease?Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes and surgery, the Parkinson's Foundation explains.Medicines often work very well to help control the symptoms, Mayo Clinic adds."When medicine is no longer helping, some people may have surgery," the clinic notes, adding that a care team may also recommend aerobic exercise, physical therapy that focuses on balancing and stretching, as well as speech therapy.
