Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects motor skills because of damage to the part of the brain that produces dopamine cells. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that Parkinson's begins with tremors, typically on one side of the body, rigidity and stiffness, facial stillness and reduced balance. Parkinson's usually is a slow-moving disease, but can come on rapidly. The disease typically hits people over the age of 50 and is usually accompanied by mental conditions such as depression and anxiety. As symptoms progress, doctors diagnose the disease through general history questions and neurological examinations.
Tremors
While initial symptoms of Parkinson's (such as tremors in the hands or limbs) may be controlled or attributed to the aging process, as the disease progresses the tremors become increasingly difficult to control. Normal activities, such as cutting food, become more and more difficult as the tremors increase. The National Parkinson's Foundation reports that while tremors initially appear on one side of the body, the progression of the disease causes tremors in all the limbs.
Mobility
Patients with aggressive Parkinson's disease become slower in their movements, a condition called bradykinesia. It may take all day for a patient to dress or shave. Mobility becomes so impaired that patients cannot rise from a chair or turn over in bed. An extremely stooped posture develops as patients walk slower and slower. The head and shoulder hang forward. Balance is greatly disturbed, leading to more frequent falls. Automatic movements, such as swinging the arms when moving, disappear.
Communication
Initial tremors affect handwriting and are often attributed to old age. As Parkinson's develops, handwriting becomes illegible, also referred to as micrographia. Soft talking is an early symptom of Parkinson's but becomes very low as the disease advances. Facial expression become non-existent as the dopamine receptors cannot transfer emotions to the body.
Anxiety
In the early stages of the disease, patients can hide the symptoms. They often keep their hands in their pockets to hide the tremors. They joke about getting older and having to move more slowly and shuffle when they walk. But as the disease progresses, the symptoms become increasingly harder to cover up and patients often display high levels of anxiety as they cannot perform their normal routines. When patients receive a definitive diagnosis of Parkinson's, they may become more severely depressed because there is no cure for the disease. Parkinson's patients often eschew support groups so they won't have to deal with the possibility of getting worse like others in the group. They become more concerned about the progression of the disease and display additional signs of anxiety and depression.
