Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease Often Mistaken

More people are afflicted with Parkinson's disease than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig's disease combined, according to the experts.

Parkinson's is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. Symptoms often appear when patients are in their 50s and 60s, and can sometimes be mistaken as simple aging.

Baby boomer Stanly Salkeld, who has been living with Parkinson's disease for the past eight years, said his symptoms appeared suddenly.

"I was sitting down in the front room of my home, reading the newspaper, and all of a sudden, my right hand started to tremor," he said.

Dr. Neal Hermanowicz, associate professor in the Department of Neurology, and director of the Movement Disorders Program at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine, said the number of Parkinson's patients is expected to increase substantially in the coming years -- maybe as much as 30 percent -- as a result of the aging baby-boomer generation.

Currently, more than 1.5 million Americans are affected by the disease, and about 70,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the experts.

"I think it's important to keep in mind for people who have this diagnosis that, although it's not a pleasant diagnosis to receive, it is a diagnosis of a disease that is treatable," Hermanowicz said.

If left untreated, the disease worsens over time.

Post-Graduate Medicine said symptoms include:

• Tremors while at rest that usually begin in a hand, but sometimes start in the foot or jaw.
• Rigidity that causes achy, stiff or weak muscles.
• A slowed or loss of automatic and spontaneous movement.
• Impaired balance and coordination.
• Secondary features include facial masking, depression, confusion and difficulties in speech or swallowing.
• Change in handwriting.
• Decreased sense of smell.

The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. classifies the disease into five stages:

• The first is when symptoms are found on only one side of the body.
• The second stage occurs when symptoms are found on both sides of the body, and walking and posture are affected.
• The third stage includes an impaired ability to walk and the slowing of body movements.
• In the fourth stage, symptoms are severe and include a marked impairment in walking.
• The fifth stage is marked by complete immobility.

The exact cause of the disease isn't known, but a genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental toxins may be factors.

"If you think you have it, get in, get diagnosed and find out," Salkeld said.

Additional Resources:

Post Graduate Medicine
Healing Well