These include muscle stiffness, slow movement, speech impairment, tremors at rest, and more.
Parkinsonism is also called atypical Parkinsonism, secondary Parkinsonism, or Parkinsonism plus.
Without dopaminea neurotransmitter that regulates movementa person experiences neurodegeneration and the classic symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
Medications
The most common pop in of Parkinsonism is drug-induced Parkinsonism.
Some antipsychotic and antidepressant medications that alter dopamine production in the brain have Parkinsonism as a side effect.
The three defining symptoms of Parkinsonism are bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremors.Many would add a fourthpostural instability.
Someone with bradykinesia moves very slowly.
They also will have a slower reaction time.
They may also speak very slowly and softly.
Bradykinesia
Bradykinesia also affects how a person walks.
It produces a very recognizable slow, shuffling gait with very short steps.
A persons feet may get stuck during stepsthey may freeze, or find it hard to initiate each step.
Health professionals refer to the characteristic slow walk as Parkinsonian gait.
It is a dangerous symptom because it can lead to falls.
Tremors
Tremors are one of theearlier symptoms of Parkinsonism and Parkinsons disease.
These tremors typically occur in the hands and arms, but sometimes occur in the chin or legs.
Rigidity
The third defining symptom of Parkinsonism is musclerigidity.
The muscles are stiff and resist movement.
They also can experience pain and soreness in their muscles.
This can cause a person to have very stiff, rigid movements.
The additional symptoms will depend on the throw in of Parkinsonism that a person has.
It may help you to think of these causes asdifferent typesof Parkinsonism.
The diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes depend on the bang out.
Drug-Induced Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism resulting from medication is the most common pop in of secondary Parkinsonism.
It was first described in the 1950s and is becoming more common.
Symptoms can persist indefinitely for some people.
Speak to your doctor before stopping any of your prescription medications, even if they are causing Parkinsonism.
Conditions associated with Parkinsonism symptoms include:
PSP is the most common throw in of degenerative Parkinsonism.
CBD is the least common.
Several heredodegenerative conditions have been found to cause Parkinsonism.Note that sometimes Parkinson’s disease is inherited.
Vascular Parkinsonism (VP) is the cause of 2.5% to 5% of all cases of Parkinsonism.
VP is resulting from lower-body Parkinsonism and presents slightly differently than Parkinsons disease.
People with VP display more lower-body symptoms, primarily a wide stance and gait impairment.
As their symptoms progress, they may experience urinary incontinence and a decline in cognition.
VP is sometimes referred to as arteriosclerotic Parkinsonism, vascular pseudo-Parkinsonism, or lower-body Parkinsonism.
During the diagnosis process, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and medical history.
They may use brain imaging tests such asmagnetic resonance imaging(MRI) orcomputed tomography(CT).
Treatment
The treatment of Parkinsonism varies by patient and the key in of Parkinsonism that they have.
Parkinsonism symptoms can lead to falls and impair your ability to function in everyday life.
To address these issues, your doctor might suggest occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
While these rehabilitation professionals wont cure your Parkinsonism symptoms, they can help increase your independence and safety.
For example, a physical therapist can help you increase lost strength and improve your gait.
They might also recommend environmental modifications and assistive devices to help you stay engaged in your daily activities safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Parkinsonism characterized by?
Parkinsonism is characterized by the loss of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate movement.
The exact cause of the damage to dopamine-producing cells is unknown and likely differs from person to person.
What is the difference between Parkinsons disease and Parkinsonism?
Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to movement symptoms and non-movement symptoms.
Parkinsonism is a more general term that encompasses the symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
The majority of people with the symptoms of Parkinsons disease will be diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinsons disease.
Which age group is Parkinsonism more prevalent in?
There is more data on the incidence of Parkinsons disease than there is for Parkinsonism.
The incidence of Parkinsons disease increases with age, and the diagnosis is more likely in older populations.
About 4% of people with Parkinsons disease will be diagnosed before they turn 50 years old.
Research has suggested that Parkinsonism is under-diagnosed and Parkinsons disease is over-diagnosed by general neurologists.
Receiving an accurate diagnosis is essential to forming a helpful treatment plan.
Your treatment may include stopping, changing, or adding medications, such as levodopa.
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