The Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

The symptoms of Parkinson's are often dismissed by patients as part of their natural aging.  Additionally, the symptoms of Parkinson's can relate to other conditions, making it hard to diagnose effectively.  That aside, there are a number of major symptoms which go some way to highlighting the presence of the condition. 

In the initial stages of the condition, patients may feel easily tired, and slightly shaking in their movements.  It may also be noticed that handwriting begins to waver, and the timbre of the voice changes and weakens.  Patients may also feel difficulty in maintaining a train of thought, and may lose a word, or forget the next point of conversation.  Although these symptoms are very subtle and can last for a number of years, they are good indicators of the presence of the condition, and should not be put down to the aging process, but rather reported to a doctor immediately.

Soon after, changes may start to occur in facial expression and movement, giving the patient the appearance of being static and stiff, with no animation in the face.  This can usually be seen accompanying an overall change in mood, as well as the tell-tale sign of lack of movement, or remaining within the same position for long durations.  As the condition develops, the more major symptoms such as the tremor begin to take effect, and the patient begins to find everyday physical tasks more and more difficult. It is the tremor which is the symptom which drives most patients for medical assistance for their condition.

The four major symptoms of Parkinson's which affect patients in different proportions are the tremor, bradykinesia, loss of balance and stability and muscular rigidity.  The tremor usually has a characteristic three motions per second, and usually takes the form of the twitching of the thumb and forefinger, although a more general tremor can develop with time.  The tremor normally begins in the patient's hand, although in some cases occurs in the patients jaw or their foot during the initial stages of the condition.

Bradykinesia is the overall slowing down of movement which many Parkinson's sufferers feel as their main debilitating symptom.  It is particularly problematic due to its intermittent and unpredictable nature, that is the patient can freely move one minute but find movement slow and arduous the next. 

The loss of balance and stability causes patients to regularly fall over  and adopt a hunched posture.  Patients may also find the need to walk with very quick steps to try and maintain balance, and may fall from a stationery position, simply down to a lack of balance brought on by the condition.

The rigidity which most patients report is as a result of the weakened relax and contract motions of muscles within the body.  The corresponding weakening to contracting in the muscles is not as pronounced, leaving the patient's movements particularly small and jerky.

These disabling symptoms are progressive in the patients, that is they continue to get worse over time.  Although there are treatments available to dampen the effects, the symptoms can be the most frustrating part of the condition for many active sufferers, who can no longer lead their lives as before.

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