About Parkinson’s Disease

Symptoms

The neurotransmitter dopamine is a critical element to our body’s ability to have fluid movement. When sufficient quantities are depleted, the symptoms of PD will emerge. The four primary or cardinal symptoms of PD are frequently referred to by the acronym TRAP:
Tremor at rest appearing initially on one side of the body
Rigidity of the muscles
Absence of normal movements such as blinking or arm swing while walking
Postural Changes

Two or more of the cardinal symptoms must be present for a person to be diagnosed with PD. In addition to the primary symptoms noted, secondary symptoms are often present as well. These can include:
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Changes in Facial Characteristics (mask-like appearance)
Gait Disturbances such as shuffling steps
Difficulty getting in and out of a chair
Small Handwriting
Trouble Swallowing
Changes in Speech
Depression
Sleep Disturbances
Sexual Difficulties
Dementia
Constipation
Difficulty Maintaining Balance/Falls

It should be noted that people with Parkinson’s disease experience a wide variety of symptoms and severity of symptoms. Each person will face a unique spectrum of symptoms resulting in a unique treatment intervention dependent upon that individual’s situation.