April 9 - 15 is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Week. Parkinson's disease is one of the fastest growing medical conditions on the planet, affecting an estimated seven million to 10 million people worldwide. People with Parkinson's Disease may experience one, some or many of the following:
Tremor: can occur at rest, in the hands, limbs, or can be postural
Muscular: stiff muscles, difficulty standing, difficulty walking, difficulty with bodily movements, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, problems with coordination, rhythmic muscle contractions, slow bodily movement, or slow shuffling gait
Sleep: daytime sleepiness, early awakening, nightmares, restless sleep, or sleep disturbances
Whole body: fatigue, dizziness, poor balance, or restlessness
Cognitive: amnesia, confusion in the evening hours, dementia, or difficulty thinking and understanding
Speech: impaired voice, soft speech, or voice box spasms
Mood: anxiety or apathy
Nasal: distorted sense of smell or loss of smell
Urinary: dribbling of urine or leaking of urine
Facial: jaw stiffness or reduced facial expression
Also common: blank stare, constipation, depression, difficulty swallowing, drooling, falling and/or the fear of falling (balance issues), loss in contrast sensitivity, neck tightness, small handwriting, trembling, unintentional writhing, or weight loss
Please consult a doctor for medical advice.
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others
