| Parkinson's Disease Signs and Symptoms |
Parkinson's Disease Signs and Symptoms
Parkinson's disease signs and symptoms vary. However, Parkinson's disease is a
progressive neurological condition affecting movements such as walking, talking, and
writing. It is named after Dr. James Parkinson (1755-1824), the London doctor who first
identified Parkinson's as a specific condition.
progressive neurological condition affecting movements such as walking, talking, and
writing. It is named after Dr. James Parkinson (1755-1824), the London doctor who first
identified Parkinson's as a specific condition.
Signs and symptoms are very individual
Parkinson's is a very individual condition, with each person experiencing different
symptoms. It is often difficult to pinpoint when a person with Parkinson's first began
showing signs and symptoms of the disease. Many people vividly recall when they first
noticed their tremor, but through close questioning, the physician often finds that subtle
signs of the disease were present even before the tremor became noticeable.
symptoms. It is often difficult to pinpoint when a person with Parkinson's first began
showing signs and symptoms of the disease. Many people vividly recall when they first
noticed their tremor, but through close questioning, the physician often finds that subtle
signs of the disease were present even before the tremor became noticeable.
Non exhaustive list of the signs and symptoms
Change in facial expression
(staring, lack of blinking)
- Because the facial muscles that normally create expression don't move as well,
people with Parkinson's disease sometimes appear to look uninterested or sad
when they are not.
Loss of automatic movements.
(Failure to move freely, or swing one arm when walking)
- Blinking, smiling and swinging your arms when you walk are all unconscious acts
that are a normal part of being human. In Parkinson's disease, these acts tend to
be diminished and even lost. Some people may develop a fixed staring expression
and unblinking eyes. Others may no longer gesture or seem animated when they
speak. Also stiffness of muscles and problems are evidenced with activities such
as standing up from a chair or rolling over in bed may be experienced. Slowness
of movement (bradykinesia) - people with Parkinson's may find that they have
difficulty initiating movements or that performing movements takes longer.
Stooped posture
(Impaired posture and balance)
- Your posture may become stooped as a result of Parkinson's disease. Imbalance
also is common, although this is usually mild until the later stages of the disease.
Dementia.
(Memory & mental clarity)
- In the later stages of Parkinson's disease, some people develop problems with
memory and mental clarity. Alzheimer's drugs appear to alleviate some of these
symptoms to a mild degree.
Rigid muscles.
(Painful shoulder, limping or dragging of one leg)
- Muscle stiffness often occurs in your limbs and neck. Sometimes the stiffness can
be so severe that it limits the range of your movements and causes pain.
Continued.......See more Signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Other sites Signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
University of Carlifornia
Parkinson's Disease Society