PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a type of movement disorder.
Signs & Symptoms
Risk Factors
Complications
Parkinson's disease is often accompanied by these additional problems, which may be treatable:
Communicable / Non-communicable
Non-communicable
Signs & Symptoms
- A tremor, or shaking
- usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers
- back-and-forth rubbing of your thumb and forefinger, known as a pill-rolling tremor.
- tremor of your hand when it is relaxed (at rest)
- Reduced ability to move
- Simple tasks become difficult and time-consuming
- Steps become shorter when walking
- Difficult getting out of a chair
- Dragging feet when walking
- Muscle stiffness
- Pain
- Stooped posture
- Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements such as:
- blinking
- smiling
- swinging arms when walking
- speech problems, such as:
- speaking too softly
- speaking too quickly
- slurring
- long hesitations before talking
- monotone speech rather than the usual inflections
- difficulty writing, writing may appear small
Risk Factors
- Middle age or late life (usually around 60 or older)
- Close relative with Parkinson's disease
- Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than are women
- Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may increase your risk
Complications
Parkinson's disease is often accompanied by these additional problems, which may be treatable:
- Dementia
- Thinking difficulties
- Depression
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Loss of motivation
- Difficulties swallowing
- Sleep problems
- Frequent wakings during night
- Falling asleep during the day
- Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (acting out your dreams)
- bladder problems
- Constipation, mainly due to a slower digestive tract
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Problems with sense of smell
- Low energy
- Fatigue
- Body pain
Communicable / Non-communicable
Non-communicable