Parkinson’s Disease (PD) a potentially devastating neurological malady that is characteristically referred to as a movement disorder. Patients who are exhibiting Parkinson’s Disease symptoms often have difficulties controlling their bodies motions. For example, PD is often apparent in uncontrollable tremors, stiff or erratic movements, a shuffling gait, speech related deficits, cognitive difficulties mood and sleep disturbances, and depression. In addition Parkinson’s Disease symptoms may include problems with sensation. Treatment options are available, but no cure has been found for this often debilitating disease.
Motor symptoms can be witnessed by tremors that seem to be worse when the limb is resting. In the beginning stages of the disease this is often noticeable in one limb or another. In addition, the patient can exhibit rigidity that may be accompanied by increase muscle tone. This stiffness can also be witnessed in the shuffling gait that is often associated with Parkinson’s. Patients with Parkinson’s Disease symptoms often have extreme difficulty turning their bodies due to impaired flexibility in the neck and back. Rather than being able to pivot and flex, the PD patient often has to turn the body in blocs of movement. This impacts balance tremendously. In conjunction with the shuffling gait may result in difficulties in balance that may result in falling. Small obstacles often may easily trip the patient. In addition, reflexes may also become diminished (National Parkinson’s Foundation).
Speech may also be impacted by PD. Often patients with Parkinson’s Disease symptoms have a soft, slow, slurred speech, or their voice may sound hoarse. As a result of speech difficulties it is often difficult to understand speech. Patients recount feeling as if their tongues are heavy (NPF). In addition to speech difficulties cognitive abilities may also be affected by PD. For example, comprehension may be diminished as well as the ability to understand the emotional content of speech. Language skills such as fluency may be compromised.