Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that progresses slowly, beginning with a sense of weakness and a slight tremor of the head or hands, then gradually progressing to more generalized symptoms. These can include:

• Slowness of voluntary movements, especially in the initiation of such movements as walking or rolling over in bed.
• Decreased facial expression, monotonous speech, and decreased eye blinking.
• A shuffling gait with poor arm swing and stooped posture.
• Unsteady balance; difficulty rising from a sitting position.
• Continuous "pill-rolling" motion of the thumb and forefinger.
• Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk and extremities.
• Swallowing problems in later stages.

Call Your Doctor If:

You suspect Parkinson's disease might be at the root of any of the symptoms above. In the disease's early stages, drugs can be very beneficial.