Parkinson’s disease is a chronic health disorder of the central nervous system that considerably affects an individual’s movement. Damage to nerve cell coverings (or myelin) in the brain leads to lower dopamine levels, triggering Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Patients may experience different symptoms, or experience symptoms and signs at different disease progression (mild levels, mild levels, and severe levels) because Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. Doctors may prescribe treatment medications such as Gocovri ER, Rytary, Ingrezza and Austedo XR to reduce the symptoms and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms may also affect only one side of the body and not the other (i.e., facial tics, hand tremors, etc.). Key symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

1. Tremors
Tremors are a primary symptom exhibited by patients with Parkinson’s disease, and they entail shaking usually starting in a limb, such as the fingers or hands. This causes the affected area to tremble or move uncontrollably, even when it is not in motion or when resting. One may rub their forefinger and thumbs vacillating, a condition commonly referred to as a pill-rolling tremor.

2. Rigid muscles and stiffness
Patients with Parkinson’s disease may have experiences of rigid muscles and stiffness, a condition that can happen in any body part. The experience can be painful, limiting the span that an individual can partake in motion.

3. Impaired posture and balance
Parkinson’s disease patients also commonly experience balance problems, and their posture commonly also becomes stooped.

4. Slowed movement and decreased mobility (bradykinesia)
Parkinson’s disease affects the mobility of patients by making their movements slower. One may have their steps become shorter as they move, causing others to drag their feet as they try to walk. The condition also makes it challenging for a person to complete easy tasks and consumes much time. Parkinson’s patients may also have difficulties getting out of a chair. The slower movement and decreased mobility affect the performance of patients significantly. Also, one may realize that the patient’s arms don’t swing when walking. If arms don’t swing when walking, one’s pace can be significantly reduced.

5. Speech changes
Parkinson’s disease also leads to deterred speech, often making one slur, speaking quickly or softly, or even hesitating before uttering words. Also, it could make one have monotonous speech without the regular inflections.

6. Loss of automatic movements
This impacts the patient’s ability to undertake habitual unconscious movements like smiling and blinking, often leading to decreased facial expression, which in turn deters effective communication. This lack of expressions can greatly impede the exhibition of emotions and one’s mood.

Patients suspecting Parkinson’s disease should seek medical treatment from a qualified doctor to help counter the above signs and symptoms. Common Parkinson’s medications prescribed may include antidepressants, which are essential in countering signs linked with depression; and dopamine promoters to aid in stimulating dopamine receptors in the patient’s brain. Also, anti-tremor drugs may help regulate unsteadiness and shaking among patients. Cognition-enhancing medications are also critical in Parkinson’s disease treatment for they regulate moods, enhance mental functioning and lower patients’ blood pressure. Regular physical therapy is also commonly recommended for Parkinson’s patients.

However, many Parkinson’s medications cause negative side effects including nausea, hallucinations, reduced blood pressure, lightheadedness, and dyskinesias, which lead to uncontrollable muscle movements. Patients can readily overcome dyskinesias and other side effects of Parkinson’s medications by keenly following the doctor’s recommendations.