Common Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

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Common Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

The common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are divided into motor and non-motor symptoms, as it affects both movement and other bodily functions. While the hallmark symptoms primarily involve movement issues, the disease can also affect mood, cognition, and autonomic functions.

Motor Symptoms (related to movement):

Tremors:
- Often the first noticeable symptom, typically starting in one hand or one side of the body.
- It is a resting tremor, meaning it occurs when the limb is at rest and subsides during movement.
Bradykinesia (slowness of movement):
- A hallmark symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
- Simple movements take longer to initiate and complete, making everyday tasks like walking, buttoning a shirt, or brushing teeth more difficult.
Muscle Rigidity:
- Stiffness in the muscles, often leading to discomfort or pain.
- Limbs may feel heavy or inflexible, restricting movement and range of motion.
Postural Instability:
- Difficulty maintaining balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falls.
- This symptom tends to develop later in the disease progression.
Shuffling Gait:
- Walking becomes more difficult, characterized by short, shuffling steps.
- The arms may not swing as they usually do during walking, and there may be frequent difficulty initiating movement (called freezing).
Masked Facial Expression (Hypomimia):
- Reduced facial expressions, often giving the appearance of a “masked” or blank face.
- People with Parkinson’s may have difficulty smiling or showing emotions through facial expressions.
Micrographia:
- Handwriting becomes small and cramped as fine motor skills deteriorate.

Non-Motor Symptoms (unrelated to movement):

Cognitive Changes:
- Memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and slower thinking.
- In advanced stages, Parkinson’s disease dementia may develop.
Mood Disorders:
- Depression, anxiety, and apathy are common among people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Mood disorders may precede motor symptoms and can worsen as the disease progresses.
Sleep Disturbances:
- Insomnia, restless sleep, and frequent nighttime awakenings are common.
- People may also experience REM sleep behavior disorder (acting out dreams) or excessive daytime sleepiness.
Autonomic Dysfunction:
- Parkinson’s disease can affect the autonomic nervous system, leading to symptoms such as:
  - Constipation
  - Urinary incontinence or urgency
  - Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), causing dizziness or fainting when standing up.
Loss of Smell (Hyposmia):
- A reduced sense of smell is often an early sign of Parkinson’s disease and may occur years before motor symptoms appear.
Fatigue:
- Chronic fatigue, even with adequate sleep, is a common non-motor symptom that can affect quality of life.
Speech and Swallowing Problems:
- Hypophonia (soft, slurred speech) can make communication difficult.
- Swallowing problems (dysphagia) may occur, increasing the risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease presents with a combination of motor symptoms, like tremors and slowness of movement, and non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive changes and sleep disturbances. While the motor symptoms are often more noticeable, non-motor symptoms can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being.

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