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It can be hard to tell if you or a loved one has Parkinson's disease (PD). Below are 10 signs that you might have the disease. No single one of these signs means that you should worry, but if you have more than one sign you should consider making an appointment to talk to your doctor.
- Non-Movement Symptoms
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- Causes
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- Non-Movement Symptoms
Parkinson’s has four main symptoms: Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head. Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time. Slowness of movement. Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls. Other symptoms may include: Depression and other emotional changes.
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
- Additional Common Questions
Parkinson’s disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition, meaning it causes parts of your brain to deteriorate. It’s best known for causing slowed movements, tremors, balance problems and more. Most cases happen for unknown reasons, but some are inherited. The condition isn’t curable, but there are many different treatment options.
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OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving WithAdditional Common Questions
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What are the symptoms?
The best-known symptoms of Parkinson's disease involve loss of muscle control. However, experts now know that muscle control-related issues aren't the only possible symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
What causes the condition?
Although there are several recognized risk factors for Parkinson’s disease, such as exposure to pesticides, for now, the only confirmed causes of Parkinson’s disease are genetic. When Parkinson’s disease isn’t genetic, experts classify it as “idiopathic” (this term comes from Greek and means “a disease of its own”). That means they don’t know exactly why it happens. Many conditions look like Parkinson's disease but are instead parkinsonism (which refers to Parkinson’s disease-like conditions) from a specific cause like some psychiatric medications.
Is it contagious?
Parkinson’s disease is not contagious, and you can't contract it from another person.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing Parkinson's disease is mostly a clinical process, meaning it relies heavily on a healthcare provider examining your symptoms, asking you questions and reviewing your medical history. Some diagnostic and lab tests are possible, but these are usually needed to rule out other conditions or certain causes. However, most lab tests aren't necessary unless you don't respond to treatment for Parkinson's disease, which can indicate you have another condition.
What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?
When healthcare providers suspect Parkinson’s disease or need to rule out other conditions, various imaging and diagnostic tests are possible. These include: Blood tests (these can help rule out other forms of parkinsonism). Computerized tomography (CT) scan. Genetic testing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
How is it treated, and is there a cure?
For now, Parkinson’s disease is not curable, but there are multiple ways to manage its symptoms. The treatments can also vary from person to person, depending on their specific symptoms and how well certain treatments work. Medications are the primary way to treat this condition. A secondary treatment option is a surgery to implant a device that will deliver a mild electrical current to part of your brain (this is known as deep brain stimulation). There are also some experimental options, such as stem cell-based treatments, but their availability often varies, and many aren't an option for people with Parkinson’s disease.
What medications and treatments are used?
Medication treatments for Parkinson’s disease fall into two categories: Direct treatments and symptom treatments. Direct treatments target Parkinson’s itself. Symptom treatments only treat certain effects of the disease.
How can I take care of myself or manage the symptoms?
Parkinson’s disease isn’t a condition you can self-diagnose, and you shouldn’t try to manage the symptoms without first talking to a healthcare provider.
How can I reduce my risk or prevent this condition?
Parkinson’s disease happens for either genetic reasons or unpredictably. Neither are preventable, and you also can’t reduce your risk of developing it. There are certain high-risk occupations such as farming and welding, but not everyone in these professions develops parkinsonism.
What can I expect if I have this condition?
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition, meaning the effects on your brain get worse over time. However, this condition usually takes time to get worse. Most people have a normal life span with this condition. You'll need little to no help in the earlier stages and can keep living independently. As the effects worsen, you’ll need medication to limit how the symptoms affect you. Most medications, especially levodopa, are moderately or even very effective once your provider finds the minimum dose you need to treat your symptoms. Most of the effects and symptoms are manageable with treatment, but the treatments become less effective and more complicated over time. Living independently will also become more and more difficult as the disease worsens.
How do I take care of myself?
If you have Parkinson’s disease, the best thing you can do is follow the guidance of your healthcare provider on how to take care of yourself. Take your medication as prescribed. Taking your medications can make a huge difference in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. You should take your medications as prescribed and talk to your provider if you notice side effects or start to feel like your medications aren't as effective. See your provider as recommended. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for you to see them. These visits are especially important to help with managing your conditions and finding the right medications and dosages. Don’t ignore or avoid symptoms. Parkinson’s disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, many of which are treatable by treating the condition or the symptoms themselves. Treatment can make a major difference in keeping symptoms from having worse effects.
When should I see my healthcare provider or when should I seek care?
You should see your healthcare provider as recommended, or if you notice changes in your symptoms or the effectiveness of your medication. Adjustments to medications and dosages can make a huge difference in how Parkinson’s affects your life.
How does a person get Parkinson's disease?
Experts don’t know how most cases of Parkinson’s disease happen. About 10% of cases are genetic, meaning you inherit them from one or both parents. However, the remaining 90% or so are idiopathic, which means they happen for reasons that are still unknown.
What are the early warning signs of Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson’s warning signs can be motor (movement-related) symptoms like slow movements, tremors or stiffness. However, they can also be non-motor symptoms. Many of the possible non-motor symptoms can appear years or even decades ahead of motor symptoms. However, non-motor symptoms can also be vague, making it difficult to connect them to Parkinson's disease. Non-motor symptoms that might be early warning signs include: Autonomic nervous system symptoms. These include lightheadedness on standing up (orthostatic hypotension) and constipation. Loss of sense of smell (anosmia). Sleep problems such as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder and restless legs syndrome.
Is Parkinson's disease fatal?
No, Parkinson’s disease is not fatal on its own. However, it can contribute to other conditions or problems that are sometimes fatal.
- Tremors. Share on Pinterest. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s can include tremors in the hands and cramped handwriting. Many healthcare professionals consider tremors to be a key characteristic sign of Parkinson’s disease.
- Difficulty walking. Subtle changes in a person’s walking pattern could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Someone who has Parkinson’s disease might walk slowly or drag their feet as they walk.
- Cramped or small handwriting. Micrographia is a disorder that involves abnormally small or cramped handwriting. Doctors associate micrographia with medical conditions that affect the nervous system, or neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Loss of smell. Hyposmia occurs when someone loses their ability to smell. This is also called olfactory dysfunction. A loss of smell is a relatively common symptom, affecting 70–90 percent of people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Erica Roth
- Small handwriting. A change in the size of your handwriting may be an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease. People with PD have a hard time controlling movement because of the changes in the brain.
- Tremor. Tremor is perhaps the most recognizable sign of Parkinson’s disease. A slight twitching or shaking of a finger, hand, or foot is common. The person experiencing the tremor is likely to be the only person who notices them in early stages of PD.
- Sleep problems. Parkinson’s disease is associated with many different types of sleep problems, including insomnia, vivid dreams, and trouble regulating sleep times.
- Stiffness and slow movement. Parkinson’s disease mainly affects adults older than 60. You may feel stiff and a little slow to get going in the morning at this stage of your life.
Parkinson's Disease. Though Parkinson's disease can't be definitively diagnosed until certain motor symptoms are present, some early warning signs are now well-understood to be connected to Parkinson's disease. These signs may crop up years before the classic motor issues, like a tremor.
Aug 26, 2021 · Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson’s disease may be something you don’t notice suddenly. Early symptoms can be mild. You may feel tired or uneasy. You may notice your...
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related to: signs of parkinson's diseaseAccess the Parkinson's Disease Guide to Learn About the Symptoms & Treatment. Top Neurological Care from a Team of World-Class Specialists at Cleveland Clinic.
A Parkinson's Diagnosis Can Bring Many Questions & Emotions. We're Here to Help. You're not alone. Find support in the Parkinson's community
Find resources for starting your patients on a Parkinson's Dyskinesia treatment. Get details on Parkinson's Dyskinesia or off time. Discover a treatment option.
