Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is difficult to diagnose but there are some characteristic symptoms of parkinson’s disease that have been identified. PD is a disorder of the brain in which there is a slow and progressive loss of brain cells called neurons. This degeneration of neurons results in decreased availability of a neurochemical called dopamine which is used by the brain to direct and control movement. This results in some characteristic symptoms which are associated with a person who has PD. The most common parkinson disease symptoms include:
- Tremor, or involuntary trembling of the limbs, often in a hand, arm, or leg. Tremor usually occurs when the patient is resting and subsides when the affected body part starts moving. It is usually the first symptom that develops in a person with PD and may either remain on one side of the body or gradually spread to the either side also. However some patients with PD may not develop a tremor at all.
- Rigidity or stiffness of muscles that affect legs, face, arms or other parts of the body. This is an early sign of Parkinson’s disease where a patient may show a reduced arm swing on one side while walking.
- Bradykinesia or slowness in movement, which can be seen especially when a patient tries to move from a resting position such as getting out of a chair.
- Weakness of muscles (of face and throat). These parkinsons symptoms becomes more prominent as the disease progresses. There may be complaints such as difficulty in speaking and swallowing. The patient’s voice may become softer and monotonous and the person may also show an expressionless face, often called the “Parkinson’s mask.”
- Gait disturbance and Postural instability or difficulty in walking and maintaining balance is evident as the disease progresses even further. Such people will likely exhibit a stooped posture, take small steps and shuffle their feet close together while trying to walk. Frequent falling is common at this stage.
Apart from these characteristic parkinsons symptoms, PD can also cause other symptoms including insomnia which can also contribute to depression and drowsiness during the day. Changes in handwriting of PD patients have been commonly observed. Urination may also be difficult to start and maintain. A person with PD may also feel constipated, a condition which is worsened due to inactivity or as a side effect of taking PD medication such as levodopa. There may be increased sweating, low blood pressure when the person stands up and problems with sexual functions. Difficulties with thinking, progressing to dementia are very likely to be associated with PD.
Doctors may sometimes categorize parkinson disease symptoms as early, moderate or advanced. Early onset of PD is usually characterized by the presence of a mild tremor as explained earlier. This is common in a person who has been recently diagnosed with PD at an early stage, although it may be absent in some PD patients altogether. A person with Moderate PD will begin to experience rigidity and slowness in movement. In the Advanced stage the patient will be significantly limited in performing his daily activates and become increasing dependent on others. There will be noticeable problems in posture, movement and speech problems. This categorization can help patients with symptoms of parkinson’s disease and concerned relatives understand the severity and progression of the disease.