ABOUT PARKINSON'S DISEASE For a person with Parkinson’s, each day can be a struggle with common tasks that most of us take for granted.
Parkinson’s is a disorder of the brain. Movement is controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between nerves in the brain. The loss of dopamine can cause a variety of motor (movement) symptoms, including:
Tremor (shaking)
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Muscle stiffness (rigidity)
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Slowness of movement
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Impaired balance |
Other symptoms may also occur:
Small handwriting
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Soft speech
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Stooped posture
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| Reduced facial expression |
Shuffling when walking
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Muscle pain |
In addition to the motor symptoms, there are non-motor symptoms, including:
Constipation
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Sleep disturbance
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Fatigue
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| Memory problems |
Shuffling when walking
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Dizziness on standing |
| Depression |
Bladder urgency and frequency |
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