Parkinson's Syndrome Symptoms

Parkinson's syndrome is characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, with Parkinson's disease being the primary cause. Parkinson's syndrome is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in adults and a major cause of neurological morbidity and mortality worldwide.

The symptoms and signs of Parkinson's syndrome (i.e., bradykinesia, resting tremor, and rigidity) are prominent in several neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). These diseases shorten average life expectancy.

Detailed Symptoms of Parkinson's Syndrome

1. Motor Symptoms

The core symptoms of Parkinson's syndrome are motor dysfunction, mainly including:

① Resting tremor

● Typically presents as a "pill-rolling" tremor of the hands, more pronounced at rest, reduced during activity, and absent during sleep.

● May begin unilaterally and gradually progress to both sides.

② Muscle rigidity

● Increased muscle tone leads to restricted joint movement and "cogwheel" resistance.

● May cause shoulder and neck pain, affecting daily activities.

③ Bradykinesia

● Slowness of movement, such as slow walking, micrographia, and reduced facial expression ("masked face").

● Speech may become softer, swallowing function weakened, leading to drooling and dysphagia.

④ Postural instability

● Decreased balance, prone to falls, with late-stage patients possibly losing independent walking ability.

● May present with "festinating gait," where steps become progressively faster and difficult to stop.

2. Non-Motor Symptoms

In addition to motor symptoms, Parkinson's syndrome is also accompanied by various non-motor symptoms that severely affect quality of life.

① Cognitive and emotional disorders

● Cognitive impairment: Some patients may develop reduced attention, memory loss, or even dementia.

● Depression and anxiety: Patients may experience low mood, loss of interest, and social withdrawal.

● Hallucinations and delusions: Visual hallucinations or delusional thinking may appear in advanced stages.

② Autonomic dysfunction

● Constipation: Due to reduced bowel motility, many patients experience chronic constipation.

● Urinary dysfunction: Frequent urination, urgency, incontinence, or difficulty urinating.

● Hypotension: Drop in blood pressure upon standing may cause dizziness or fainting (orthostatic hypotension).

● Drooling: Caused by impaired swallowing function leading to saliva accumulation.

③ Sleep disorders

● REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD): Characterized by vigorous actions during dreams, such as shouting or kicking.

● Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, early awakening, or poor sleep quality.

● Daytime sleepiness: Excessive daytime drowsiness affecting social and work ability.

④ Hyposmia

● One of the early symptoms, affecting appetite and taste perception.

⑤ Pain and fatigue

● Some patients experience muscle pain, joint stiffness, or chronic fatigue and weakness.

3. Disease Progression and Symptom Evolution

Symptoms of Parkinson's syndrome usually begin on one side and gradually affect both sides, with non-motor symptoms worsening over time. According to the Hoehn & Yahr staging, the disease can be divided into five stages:

Stage I: Mild unilateral symptoms, no impact on daily life.

Stage II: Symptoms affect both sides, but balance is still preserved.

Stage III: Postural instability and frequent falls, but patients can still live independently.

Stage IV: Requires assistance with walking and daily activities.

Stage V: Severe disability, unable to walk or stand independently, requiring long-term care.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center state that symptoms of Parkinson's syndrome include motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, emotional abnormalities, sleep disorders, and autonomic dysfunction. As a progressive disease, early recognition and timely intervention are crucial. If suspected symptoms appear, patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible for neurological evaluation and treatment to improve quality of life and slow disease progression.