Parkinson's Disease

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder affecting the brain and nervous system. Because it affects the brain's ability to govern movement, it is classed as a neurological movement condition. Symptoms of this illness include tremors, muscle rigidity, and difficulty with movement, balance, and coordination.

Symptoms

Parkinson's disease symptoms are classified into two types: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.

Motor Symptoms

Motor symptoms are movement-related issues that arise when the brain is unable to send messages to the muscles as it should.

• Tremors in the hands, feet, or jaw
• Slow movements
• Rigid muscles 
• Limited range of motion
• Unsteady walk 
• Stooped posture

Nonmotor Symptoms

Parkinson's disease causes nonmotor symptoms because it affects the sympathetic nervous system, which controls numerous autonomic body functions such as digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.

• Loss of smell
• Constipation 
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Drooling
• Loss of bladder control

References

[1] Verywellmind, 'What Is Parkinson's Disease?' (online, 2022) <https://www.verywellmind.com/parkinson-s-disease-symptoms-causes-treatment-coping-5194833>