Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is an age related weakening of the nervous system, which effects 1% of people over the age of 60. It affects both women and men, but men are 1.5 times more likely to get it. This disease effects your movement, muscle control and balance, and 5-10% of people who have it, have a genetic tendency. There are also some medications, which can cause PD by lowering the level of dopamine. It is very important to get a full review of all medications before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s to rule out any other causes.

Symptoms of the disease are tremors, which usually starts in one arm. This symptom worsens under stress and may also involve the tongue, chin or lips. Rigidity is another symptom as well as Bradykinesia. Bradykinesia is slowness in movement and eventually causes problems with walking. Other symptoms are short-term memory loss, fatigue and depression. A medication called Levodopa is useful in determining if someone has PD, by seeing if his or her symptoms respond to it. Ultimately a visit to your physician and a neurologist is the only way to confirm whether you have Parkinson’s disease.

At the onset of this disease the symptoms are minimal, and you can go about your activities of daily living like working and staying active. Eventually, a time may come when extra care is needed and it will be necessary to look into home care services. It will be essential to have special equipment to fit the patient’s needs, such as a walker, wheelchair or cane. Once memory loss sets in, it will be important to keep medications out of sight and away from the patient. Every persons needs are not the same, so it will be important to have help in order to make the home as safe as possible.