Parkinson’s can cause a wide range of symptoms but it is very unlikely that you will experience all of them. Some symptoms often start on one side of the body and may then go on to affect both sides.
The main symptoms are:
- Tremor, often first noticed in the hands, particularly when at rest
- Rigidity or stiffness, making movement difficult
- Bradykinesia or slowness of movement.
Over time different muscles may be affected and further movement or ‘motor’ symptoms may develop such as:
- Posture and balance problems, for example turning or getting out of a chair, often leading to falls
- Problems with swallowing.
- Speech changes
- Loss of facial expression (sometimes known as the Parkinson’s ‘mask’)
- Small handwriting.
‘Non-motor’ symptoms, i.e. not related to movement, may also develop such as:
- Anxiety and low mood
- Blurred vision
- Bowel and bladder difficulties
- Fatigue
- Loss of sense of taste and smell
- Pain
- Weight gain or loss
- Changes in sleep pattern.
Over time as Parkinson’s progresses, medication, usually levodopa, may literally “wear off” or becomes less effective. If thisoccurs, Parkinson’s symptoms either re-emerge or worsen before the next dose of medication is due.
For a more detailed list of symptoms and further information on each of them see Parkinson's disease symptoms.
