Symptoms of Parkinson’s

SYMPTOMS

People are generally most familiar with the motor symptoms
of Parkinson’s disease, as they are the most evident signs of
the disease from the outside. But there is also a number of
non-motor symptoms that can sometimes have a major
impact on people.

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Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s

Slowed Movement
(Bradykinesia)

Parkinson’s disease may reduce your
ability to move and slow your movement.

Rigid
Muscles

Stiff muscles can limit your range of
motion and cause you pain.

Resting
Tremor

A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a
limb, often your hand or fingers.

Posture &
Balance

Your posture may become stooped, or
you may have balance problems.

Gait
Problems

Gait issues such as freezing, shuffling,
drooped shoulders and lack of arm swing.

Facial
Expressions

Parkinson’s often have reduced facial
expression referred to as masking.

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Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s

Cognitive
Impairment

This can range from mild
memory difficulties such as
thinking quickly, manage
multiple tasks to dementia.

Depression &
Anxiety

This is not simply a
reaction to the diagnosis of
Parkinson’s, but is instead
a part of the disease itself,
caused by changes in the
chemistry of the brain.

Sleep
Difficulties

Such as REM Sleep Disorder,
Restless Legs Syndrome.

Smell

Loss of sense of smell
generally presents prior to
any other symptoms appear.

Vision

Some vision difficulties are
related to changes in the
movement of the eyeball
caused by loss of dopamine
neurons.

Speech

Most commonly, the voice
becomes quieter. It can also
develop a breathy or hoarse
quality.

Swallowing
Problems

The slowness of movement
that often comes with PD
may affect chewing, biting,
the ability to work the tongue
and the ability to get food or
liquid down in one bite.

Writing problems

your writing may appear small.

Apathy and Fatigue

Apathy causes a general lack of motivation and interest, as well as a dampening of emotional expression.

Hallucinations and Delusions

Hallucinations are seeing, feeling or hearing things that aren’t there. Delusions lead a person to firmly believe in scenarios or situations that never happened or are not true.

Parkinson’s symptoms affect everyone differently. Many people will
experience some symptoms and not others. The progression of the
disease also varies between people.

Other Related Conditions

Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is uncontrolled, involuntary movement that may occur with long-term levodopa use and longer time with Parkinson’s. Not everyone will develop this complication, and the experience of dyskinesia varies.

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Dystonia

Dystonia is characterised by painful, prolonged muscle contractions that cause involuntary repetitive twisting and sustained muscle contractions. These result in abnormal movements and postures.

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Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a form of dementia, which is a broad term for a disease of memory, thinking and/or social abilities that are severe enough to interfere with everyday activities.

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