Main symptoms
Although the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can vary from person to person, most people will experience three or more of the main (core) symptoms, which are described below.
Tremor
The type of tremor seen in Parkinson's disease is a shaking motion that mainly occurs at rest, and becomes less during activity.
Initially, tremor usually affects the arm, hand or fingers on one side of the body, and may begin as a slight twitch. The most common tremor movement in Parkinson's disease is a back and forth motion of the thumb and first finger known as 'pill rolling'. Tremor can be a troubling symptom for people with Parkinson's disease, but it is not usually disabling.
Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
Bradykinesia literally means slow movement. The general effect of bradykinesia is that it takes more time and effort to complete daily tasks.
To begin with, bradykinesia affects small movements such as those needed for fastening buttons and writing. Problems with rising from a chair or turning over in bed are also common. Later on in the disease, starting to walk may be difficult, or patients may unexpectedly 'freeze' to the spot for a short time while walking.
Stiffness (rigidity)
Rigidity in Parkinson's disease is a stiffness of the muscles.
To test for rigidity, the examining doctor moves the relaxed body part slowly and gently, and tests for any resistance to movement.
Loss of balance (postural instability)
The ability to maintain posture and balance is impaired in people with Parkinson's disease. This can lead to unsteadiness when walking, turning or standing. Activities such as rising from a chair or bending over can be problematic.
There are many practical devices such as handrails, walking sticks, and walking frames that can help with stability.
Please note that this document is part of the Parkinson's disease handbook. Please fell free to download the full Parkinson's disease handbook from the right-hand toolbox if you would like to learn more.
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