The Signs & Symptoms of Parkinson's Desease

Many people are aware of Parkinson's disease because a popular actor, Michael J. Fox, has shared his experiences with the disease through the press and through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease are most often related to movement, but there are other symptoms affecting different parts of the body.

Tremors

• The most widely known symptom of Parkinson's disease is uncontrollable tremors that cause parts of the body to be in nearly constant movement. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, approximately 70 percent of people with Parkinson's disease experience this symptom. It often appears first in a hand or a foot on one side of the body. This tremor is called a resting tremor because it happens mainly when the affected body part is not being used, or is at rest.

Motor Symptoms

• According to Fox's foundation, Parkinson's disease primarily affects motor function. Motor function is a medical term used to describe movement, such as walking or any activity that requires a person to move a part of his body. People with Parkinson's disease may have difficulty walking because of rigid muscles or because their muscles are responding slowly to commands from the brain telling them to move. This type of slow movement is called bradykinesia.

Mood

• According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, many people with Parkinson's disease experience mood problems. These problems can be mild or severe. They include anxiety and depression, most likely brought on by concern about the physical symptoms of the disease.

Memory

• Many people with Parkinson's disease will also experience some type of memory loss. This could be as mild as having difficulty recalling words, or as severe as forgetting how to perform everyday activities such as eating. This severe type of memory issue is called dementia. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, approximately one-third of people with Parkinson's disease will experience dementia.

Pain

• Parkinson's disease can be a painful condition. The constant repeated movement or distension of a limb or the neck can cause severe muscle pain. Increased wear and tear on the joints can also lead to arthritic pain. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, some people with the disease may experience a type of pain that originates from the nerves in the brain and is not associated with movement.

Digestive Issues

• Digestive issues can also be a symptom of Parkinson's disease, although these symptoms are often overlooked because they could be related to several other conditions. However, Parkinson's disease can affect the muscles that move food through the digestive systems, resulting in slower digestion and leading to constipation. People with Parkinson's disease may also have difficulty controlling the muscles around the bladder and those that affect urine flow, leading to urinary incontinence.