Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

What are the four primary symptoms of Parkinson's?

• rigidity -- stiffness when the arm, leg, or neck is moved back and forth

• resting tremor -- tremor (involuntary movement from contracting muscles) that is most prominent at rest

• bradykinesia -- slowness in initiating movement

• loss of postural reflexes -- poor posture and balance that may cause falls; gait or balance problems

Other symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD):
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from patient to patient. The symptoms may appear slowly and in no particular order. Early symptoms may be subtle and may progress over many years before reaching a point where they interfere with normal daily activities. These often include:

• fatigue or general malaise
• trembling
• difficulty arising from a seated position
• lowered voice volume (dysarthia)
• small, cramped, spidery handwriting
• losing track of a word or thought
• irritability or sadness for no apparent reason
• lack of expression in the face
• lack of animation
• remaining in a certain position for long period of time
• unable to normally move arm or leg

What are the secondary symptoms of Parkinson's?

• depression
• senility
• difficulty with speaking
• emotional changes (fearful and insecure)
• memory loss and slow thinking
• difficulty in swallowing and chewing
• urinary problems or constipation
• skin problems
• sleep problems

As the disease progresses, walking may become affected causing the patient to stop in mid-stride or "freeze" in place, and maybe even fall over. Patients also may begin walking with a series of quick, small steps as if hurrying forward to keep balance, a practice known as festination.