Parkinson's disease (PD) is classified a movement disorder of unknown cause and has no cure. Medical treatment consists of treating the presenting symptoms, which worsen over time, as the disease progresses. According to the Mayo Clinic, early symptoms of the disease can be subtle and unnoticeable, possibly for years. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) states that accurately diagnosing PD is challenging and can take years. Symptoms can vary for each individual and mostly start on one side of the body, with the four most common symptoms of the disease.
Resting Tremor
In the early stages of PD, a slight tremor occurs in either the hand or foot, limited to one side of the body. The tremors may worsen with disease progression and can spread to the other side. It is called "resting tremor," because the muscles shake at a relaxed state when the hand or foot have not been used. The PDF explains that the tremor actually subsides when the individual begins purposeful action. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic states that a "pill-rolling" motion, characterized by a repeated back-and-forth rubbing with the thumb and forefinger, is common. Tremors can also appear, though less commonly, in the jaw or face.
Slow Movement
Individuals affected by PD experience difficulty in starting, sustaining and finishing a movement. Slow movement, also called bradykinesia, is another common motor symptom of Parkinson's. While getting up and walking to the bathroom may seem a simple task, it is very challenging for someone with PD, because the feet take a long time to even start walking, and the whole trip becomes a rather time-consuming endeavor. A person with PD walks in many short and shuffling steps to reach his destination. Moreover, when bradykinesia affects the tongue and throat muscles, difficulty with speaking or swallowing is experienced.
Rigidity
At some point, all people suffer through some sort of muscle cramping, where a muscle tightens up like a ball and produces severe pain. For someone with PD, this experience occurs more frequently, due to symptomatic rigidity. Increased muscle tone results in stiff and inflexible muscles unrelieved by relaxation. Rigidity often affects the neck and limbs, causing difficulty and pain when turning the head or an inability to swing the arms when walking. Rigid muscles in the face hinder facial expressions, and the person may not seem to display any emotions.
Impaired Balance and Coordination
Skeletal muscles of the body are partly responsible for balance, while different muscle groups need to work in unison to provide coordination. With Parkinson's, an individual's sense of balance and coordination are impaired, causing him to have trouble standing or abruptly change direction when walking. These problems increase the chances of falling and injuries.
