What Are The Symptoms & Signs of Parkinson Disease?

The primary signs of Parkinson Disease are trembling, muscle rigidity (stiffiness), difficulty with walking (your gait - length of your stride and slowness of movement), or problems with balance or coordination.

Other symptoms and signs of parkinson disease include

• Dementia or cognitive problems
• Difficulties swallowing or drooling
• Impaired speech
• Depression (common)
• Handwriting becomes very small (micrographia)
• Reduction of blinking frequency and facial muscles for smiling
• Consipation (very common with Parkinson, caused by loss of ability to control bowel muscles)
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Posture becomes stooped

Most of those with Parkinson's Disease are over 50 years of age, although it does affect a small number of younger persons as well.

0.%1 - 0.2% of the population have Parkinson's Disease, however persons over 50 years of age have a ten times greater chance of developing the disease, accordingly 1% - 2% of persons greater than 50 years of age suffer from Parkinson's.