Symptoms start to appear when the brain can’t make enough dopamine to control movement properly. This usually occurs on one side of the body initially.
There are three main symptoms:
- slowness of movement (bradykinesia);
- muscle stiffness (rigidity); and
- shaking (tremor).
There are, however, many other symptoms that are not always easily recognisable as a Parkinson’s issue. Symptoms are generally categorised as motor or non-motor.
Motor symptoms include:
- rigidity;
- tremor;
- cramps;
- dystonia (movement disorder);
- freezing; and
- falls.
Non-motor symptoms include:
- pain;
- sleep fatigue;
- bladder and bowel problems; and
- communication problems.
However, these lists are not exhaustive.
If you notice that you or a member of your family has any of these symptoms, please speak to your family doctor (GP) and ask for a referral to a movement disorder specialist, such as a geriatrician with a specialist interest in movement disorders.