Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors, stiffness and slow movements, usually begin in a subtle way and, therefore, are not always noticed in the most initial phase.However, within a few months or years, they evolve and get worse, become more and more obvious, and it is necessary to start treatment so that the surrogate can have a quality life.
To suspect this disease, which is a type of brain degeneration, it is necessary to have signs and symptoms that appear together or worsen over time, advising to consult a neurologist or geriatrician to confirm the diagnosis.
The main signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are
Parkinson’s tremor occurs when the person is resting, resting and improving when moving, it is more common in the hands, being a large tremor, which mimics the movement of counting money, but can also appear on the chin, lips, tongue and legs.It is more common for it to be asymmetrical, that is, on one side of the body, but this may vary.In addition, it is common for it to get worse in stress and anxiety situations.
Muscle stiffness can also be asymmetrical or more present in certain parts of the body, such as the arms or legs, giving a feeling of stiffness, preventing activities such as walking, dressing, opening arms, going up and down stairs, as well as difficulty. perform other movements Muscle pain and excessive fatigue are also common.
A condition known as bradykinesia, which occurs when there is a decrease in range of motion and loss of certain automatic movements, such as blinking of the eyes.Thus, agility is compromised to make quick and wide movements, making it difficult to perform simple tasks, such as opening and closing hands, dressing, writing or chewing.
Thus, walking becomes dragged, slow and with short steps, and there is also a decrease in the swinging of the arms, which increases the risk of falls, there is a decrease in facial expressions, a hoarse voice, low, difficulty swallowing food, with nausea and slow writing in lowercase.
Postural changes are present in the later and later stages of the disease, beginning with a more arched posture, but if left untreated, they can progress to joint contraction and immobility.
In addition to the curved spine, other more common postural changes are the tilt of the head, the arms that are held in front of the body, in addition to the bent knees and elbows.
The stiffness and slowness of the body makes it difficult to control reflexes, making it difficult to balance, stand unans helplessly and maintain posture, with high risk of falls and difficulty walking.
Sometimes there is a sudden blockage to initiate movement, known as freezing or freezing, and it is common to occur when walking, talking, or writing.
Although these signs and symptoms are characteristic of Parkinson’s disease, many can occur in other diseases that cause movement disorders, such as essential tremors, advanced syphilis, tumors, as well as movement disorders caused by medications or other diseases, such as progressive supranuclear palsy or Lewy corpuscle dementia As what.To confirm that none of these conditions exist, your doctor should perform a thorough symptom evaluation, a physical and neurological exam, and order tests such as brain MRI and blood tests.
In addition to the above symptoms, which are critical to suspecting Parkinson’s disease, there are other manifestations also common in the disease, such as:
These symptoms may be more or less present, depending on the course of each person’s disease.
In the presence of symptoms indicative of Parkinson’s disease, it is important to consult a neurologist or geriatrician for a complete clinical assessment, with symptom analysis, physical examination, and test control that identifies whether there is another health problem that may be causing these symptoms, such as no specific test for Parkinson’s disease.
If your doctor confirms your diagnosis, he or she will also tell you medications to help reduce symptoms, especially tremors and slow movements, such as levodopa, for example.In addition, it is very important to perform physical therapy and other activities that stimulate the patient, such as occupational therapy and physical activity, so that he learns to overcome some of the limitations caused by the disease, allowing him to maintain an independent life.
Learn more about treating Parkinson’s disease.