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Symptoms of Parkinson's disease
There are three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:
- Tremor - which usually begins in one hand or arm and is more likely to occur when the affected part of the body is at rest and decrease when it is being used. Stress can make the tremor more noticeable. However the presence of tremor does not necessarily mean a person has Parkinson’s disease, as there are several other types and causes of tremor. Also, although most people associate Parkinson’s disease with tremor, up to 30% of people with Parkinson’s disease do not have this symptom.
- Muscular rigidity or stiffness - people with Parkinson’s disease often have problems with turning round, getting out of a chair, rolling over in bed, stooped posture, and making fine finger movements, facial expressions and body language.
- Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) - movements can become difficult to initiate (start), take longer to perform and lack co-ordination
Other symptoms can include tiredness, depression, and difficulties with handwriting, speech, and balance.
The symptoms usually begin slowly, develop gradually, and in no particular order. Parkinson’s is a very individual condition and each person will have a different collection of symptoms and response to treatment. The rate at which the condition progresses, the nature and severity of symptoms is also varies in each individual.
Parkinsonism -The main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, shaking, stiffness and slowness of movement are also the main symptoms of a collective group of conditions, of which Parkinson’s disease is the most common form. Other less common forms of parkinsonism include multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and drug induced parkinsonism.
