Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease may have difficulty walking, talking, and completing even simple tasks because Parkinson’s Disease is a ‘motor system disorder’ in which there is a loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain that affects motor (muscle) activity. A normal human brain triggers impulses for every single muscle movement in the body, while those with Parkinson’s progressively lose this ability to trigger the muscles.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease often occur very gradually, but in some cases the disease may progress much more quickly. This disease is more common over the age of 50. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:

• Tremor: trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face
• Rigidity: stiffness of the arms, legs, and trunk
• Bradykinesia: slowed movements
• Postural Instability: poor balance and coordination

Some individuals with Parkinson’s disease also experience other symptoms:

• Depression
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, and speaking
• Urinary problems and/or constipation
• Difficulty sleeping through the night

Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

Unfortunately there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease at this time. However, there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and slow down how quickly the disease progresses. The most common form of treatment is medication. A surgical treatment (called deep brain stimulation or DBS) is now also available. In DBS, electrodes are surgically implanted into the brain and these electrodes, once programmed, can greatly help control some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.

For additional information on Parkinson’s disease, visit the National Institute of Health website.