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Physical Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease - Articles Surfing

Parkinson's disease is considered to be one of the major disorders of the motor system. There are four main physical symptoms that define this incurable disease. These are referred to as TRAP. They include trembling or tremors in the legs, arms, hands, jaw, and face. Stiffness or rigidity that occurs in the torso or limb muscles. Akinesia which refers to a slowness in mobility and/or completing ordinary tasks or a total lack of movement. Postural instability or postural reflex impairment which refers to a problem with coordinating movements and balancing oneself. With the progression of Parkinson's disease and the worsening of each of these symptoms, the sufferer may find their ability to speak, walk, and do other very simple things affected.

A tremor is a rhythmic and involuntary movement occurring most commonly in the arms, hand, fingers, legs and face, primarily in the lips. It is known as a resting tremor due to the fact that it is most noticeable when the person is not actively moving that part of his or her body. Tremors are the most common initially discovered symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Tremors are found in approximately seventy percent of sufferers, however, up to twenty-five percent of sufferers do not experience tremors at all.

Rigidity has to do with muscle tone and is often felt as a form of tightness or stiffness. In Parkinson's disease, cogwheel rigidity, refers to pain as a result of rigidity in the muscles of the lower back or shoulders.

Akinesia refers to lack of movement. It often goes hand in hand with bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, when it comes to Parkinson's disease. At times even the simplest everyday task, such as buttoning a blouse, flossing or brushing teeth, combing hair, pouring a glass of milk, or tossing a salad becomes more difficult to do because of involuntary slower movements.

Postural reflex impairment does not show itself when a person initially begins experiencing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Generally it occurs later, sometimes many years later, as the disease progresses. It has to do with the patient's ability to retain balance and coordination. People at this stage should be accompanied at all times as there is a great tendency to fall.

Some of the early physical symptoms in the development of Parkinson's disease include a weakening of the face and throat muscles which can lead to coughing choking, drooling and problems speaking and swallowing; cramps in both muscles and joints; handwriting changes, often it becomes smaller and sloppier; an inability to swing an arm on one side while walking; difficulty turning over in bed, getting out of bed or getting up from a chair or couch; isolated, uncomfortable shoulder pain; constipation and difficulty beginning or controlling urine flow; a tendency to freeze, in other words, a moment, often this occurs while walking, when one is unable to move; and excess dandruff or the tendency for excessively oily skin.

Submitted by:

Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson contributes to several well-known web magazines, on health tips and healthy living themes.



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