Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. The most common form is idiopathic Parkinson's--idiopathic because the exact cause is unknown.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms associated with Parkinson's but most patients do not develop all the symptoms. The primary symptoms of Parkinson's are bradykinesia (slow movements), tremor, rigidity and Parkinsonian gait. Symptoms usually begin on one side of the body.
Bradykinesia
Bradykinesia involves difficulty initiating movement and difficulty completing a movement in progress. This is due to a delay in signal transmission from the brain to the skeletal muscles.
Tremors
Tremors tend to occur in the hand or foot when the limb is at rest. Tremors can also occur in the forearm, mouth and chin.
Rigidity
With rigidity, muscles become stiff and the rigidity tends to get worse during movement. Rigidity also produces muscle pain and a mask-like facial expression.
Parkinsonian Gait
Due to impairment in the muscles that adjust posture, people with Parkinson's develop balance problems and a distinctive, unsteady walk. They tend to lean unnaturally backward or forward, have diminished arm swings and take small shuffling steps. They may freeze mid-stride and have difficulty with turns. Falls are common in Parkinson's.
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