The main symptoms of Parkinson's
The main symptoms of Parkinson's
people can develop are tremor (shaking), rigidity and slowness
of movement.
Parkinson's is a very individual condition, with each person experiencing different symptoms.
Lubna Arif, Research team
The order in which Parkinson's symptoms appear and the
way symptoms progress differs from
person to person.
Symptoms often start on one side of the body and then, over a
period of time, go on to affect both sides.
In our Real life stories section
people with Parkinson's share their experiences of developing
Parkinson's symptoms and diagnosis.
Parkinson's and tremor
Tremor (shaking) is a rhythmical movement that can't be
controlled, often starting in one hand.
As the Parkinson's tremor usually appears when a person's
muscles are relaxed, it is called a 'resting tremor'.
This means that the affected body part trembles when it is not
doing work, and it normally improves when a person begins an
action. Anxiety can also make tremor worse.
It is estimated that tremor occurs in about 70% of people with
Parkinson's, so not everyone with the condition has this
symptom.
Parkinson's tremor usually worsens over time, often spreading up
the arm and then to the foot on the same side of the body.
After several years, Parkinson's tremor can spread to affect the
other side of the body, but the tremor is likely to be milder.
In the early stages the tremor can be suppressed by squeezing or
rolling a ball, pen or similar object in the hand.
Parkinson's drugs such as levodopa, can also reduce or even stop
tremor. Our treating Parkinson's section
or our Drug treatment of Parkinson's
booklet can tell you more about the treatment of
Parkinson's.
Read more on how tremor develops in our Tremor and Parkinson's information sheet.
Slowness of movement
People with Parkinson's may find that starting a movement and
performing everyday tasks can be difficult.
The medical term for slowness of movement is bradykinesia.
People who have bradykinesia may walk with short, shuffling
steps. This is called festination.
Slowness of movement and rigidity can occur in muscles in the
face. This can affect facial expressions and result in a
'mask-like' appearance.
Losing the ability to communicate through facial expressions can
be both frustrating and depressing.
Speech and language therapists can help you with exercises that
can help keep your facial muscles more flexible.
Our Speech and language therapy
information sheet explains how an early referral to a therapist
can improve the effectiveness of the treatment.
Rigidity and Parkinson's
Rigidity means stiffness or inflexibility of the muscles
and can cause pain and cramping.
Parkinson's can prevent muscles from stretching and
relaxing.
A person who has rigidity may not be able to swing his or her
arms when walking because the muscles are too tight.
Exercising regularly can help maintain movement, strengthen
muscles and increase mobility.
Our Keeping Moving exercise booklet and
DVD provide exercise instructions that are especially
beneficial for those in the earlier stages of Parkinson's, but can
be tried by anyone.
Find out more about coping with muscular rigidity, aches and
pains in our Muscle cramps and dystonia
information sheet.
Also in this section
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