Parkinson's disease: Symptoms

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease that is the result of the death of brain cells that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain that transmits signals within the brain. Without dopamine, the nerve cells that control movement do not fire correctly, making it difficult or impossible for people to control their movement in a normal manner.

Anyone of any age can get Parkinson's disease, but it affects mostly older adults. It usually begins after age 50, but a few people in their 30's begin having symptoms. It is slightly more common in men than women. Parkinson's disease does not usually run in families, but those who have it before 50 years of age often have a family member who has it. The cause of Parkinson's in people over age 50 is usually not known.

Not all people with Parkinson's have all of the symptoms. The symptoms may include:

• rigidity (always present and worse with movement)
• tremor (only in some people and may be worse on one side of the body)
• slowness of movement (slow in starting movement and slow moving once started)
• poor balance, especially during abrupt movements (often fall from poor balance)
• walking problems (decreased or no arm swing, short shuffling steps, sometimes unable to take the next step)

Parkinson's disease is diagnosed from the symptoms and a physical examination. There are no specific tests that diagnose Parkinson's, but it may be necessary for the provider to do some tests to rule out other disorders.

Even though Parkinson's cannot be cured, there are treatments to reduce the symptoms. Levodopa was the first drug used for Parkinson's. It replaces the dopamine in the brain but can cause severe side effects, including nausea and vomiting. It may be used with other drugs in smaller doses. There are many drugs other than Levodopa that are more commonly used now for the treatment of Parkinson's. Any drugs used for the treatment of Parkinson's have to be monitored as there may be side effects. No drugs can stop the progression of the disease. They can give only relieve symptoms.

Surgical procedures may be used for treatment in some cases. A procedure called pallidotomy uses an electrode to destroy brain cells that cause dyskinetic movements. Another procedure, deep brain stimulation, is used to stop uncontrollable movements. Electrodes are implanted in the brain and are connected to a pacemaker-like device. The person with Parkinson's can control the device by passing a magnet over it as needed.

Individuals with Parkinson's need to actively participate in their care and treatment. Regular muscle-strengthening exercise is important for keeping mobile, flexible, and maintaining balance. Staying active and developing new ways to keep active is important to maintaining good health.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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