What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
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The brain cells and nerves affected in PD normally help to produce smooth, co-ordinated movements of muscles. Therefore, three common symptoms that gradually develop are:
- Slowness of movement (bradykinesia). For example, it may become more of an effort to walk or to get up out of a chair. When this first develops you may mistake it as just 'getting on in years'. The diagnosis of PD may not become apparent unless other symptoms occur. In time, a typical walking pattern often develops. This is a 'shuffling' walk with some difficulty in starting, stopping, and turning easily.
- Stiffness of muscles (rigidity), and muscles may feel more tense. Due to the stiffness, it may become difficult to do everyday tasks such as tying laces or buttoning shirts. The arms do not tend to swing as much when you walk.
- Shaking (tremor) is common, but does not always occur. It typically affects the fingers, thumbs, hands, and arms, but can affect other parts of the body. It is most noticeable when you are resting. It may become worse when you are anxious or emotional. It tends to become less when you use your hand to do something such as picking up an object.
The symptoms tend to slowly become worse. However, the speed in which symptoms become worse varies from person to person. It may take several years before they become bad enough to have much effect on your life. At first, one side of your body may be more affected than the other.
Some other symptoms may develop due to problems with the way affected brain cells and nerves control the muscles. These include:
- Less facial expressions such as smiling or frowning.
- Difficulty with writing (handwriting tends to become smaller).
- Difficulty with balance and posture.
- Speech may become slow and monotonous.
- Swallowing may become troublesome, and saliva may pool in the mouth.
- Tiredness, and aches and pains.
Various other symptoms develop in some cases, mainly as the condition becomes worse. These include:
- Constipation.
- Bladder symptoms and sometimes incontinence.
- Hallucinations (seeing things that are not real).
- Sweating.
- Sexual difficulties.
- Alterations in your sense of smell.
- Difficulties with sleeping.
- Depression and anxiety.
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