Initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
Updated on April 13, 2025
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The early symptoms of Parkinson's disease are divided into motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. The onset of Parkinson's disease is relatively concealed and progresses gradually. The initial symptoms can be tremors, bradykinesia, or rigidity, occurring asymmetrically. It often starts in one upper limb and can initially appear in the lower limbs in a few cases, gradually extending to the limbs on the other side. Non-motor symptoms can occur at any stage of Parkinson's disease, including before motor symptoms arise, such as loss of smell, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, constipation, and depression. These are often precursory symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but such non-motor symptoms can also appear in other diseases, which can make them difficult to clearly distinguish.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Late-stage symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressively worsening neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system, initially manifesting as bradykinesia, resting tremor, and other symptoms. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become increasingly severe. In the later stages, symptoms may include significant postural and gait abnormalities, such as obvious stooping and difficulty starting to walk, a phenomenon known as freezing, and turning around can also be difficult. Additionally, in the late stages, swallowing dysfunction may occur, leading to clinical signs such as coughing while drinking water and articulation disorders. Furthermore, individuals with Parkinson's disease are particularly prone to falling in the later stages due to impaired balance functions.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to medicate for the rigidity in Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease presents with rigidity, mainly due to increased muscle tone and muscle rigidity, which is a very important clinical manifestation of Parkinson's disease. The medications used for rigidity in Parkinson's disease mainly include the following types. The first type is dopamine receptor agonists, which can improve limb muscle rigidity to some extent and delay the progression of the disease. The second type of medication is levodopa preparations, which are currently the gold standard for treating Parkinson's disease. Many patients experience significant clinical improvement after taking the medication. The third type of medication includes some anticholinergic drugs. These drugs are particularly effective against tremors and also have some effect in improving rigidity. Medication for Parkinson's disease must be taken under the guidance of a doctor. It is also important to note that levodopa preparations should be taken on an empty stomach or two hours after a meal for better efficacy.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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How long does the course of Parkinson's disease usually last?

The course of Parkinson's disease generally lasts for how long? Parkinson's disease, also known as shaking palsy, is a common neurodegenerative disease, and the age at onset varies. For early-onset Parkinson's disease, it generally starts around age 40 to 50, while late-onset Parkinson's disease generally starts after age 50. As age gradually increases, the course of Parkinson's disease is generally about 20 to 40 years. Once diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it is a lifelong condition. This disease is incurable, and can only be managed through medications, surgical treatments, physical rehabilitation, and psychological therapies to improve or control symptoms, but it cannot be cured. Therefore, once diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the disease is lifelong.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease

The early symptoms of Parkinson's disease are divided into motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. The onset of Parkinson's disease is relatively concealed and progresses gradually. The initial symptoms can be tremors, bradykinesia, or rigidity, occurring asymmetrically. It often starts in one upper limb and can initially appear in the lower limbs in a few cases, gradually extending to the limbs on the other side. Non-motor symptoms can occur at any stage of Parkinson's disease, including before motor symptoms arise, such as loss of smell, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, constipation, and depression. These are often precursory symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but such non-motor symptoms can also appear in other diseases, which can make them difficult to clearly distinguish.

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home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease begins inconspicuously and progresses gradually. There are two main categories of symptoms in Parkinson's disease: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, one can appear normal, or may experience motor symptoms like bradykinesia or rigidity, often starting asymmetrically. Symptoms commonly begin on one side of the upper limbs, and less frequently start from the lower limbs, eventually spreading to the limbs on the other side. Non-motor symptoms can occur at various stages of Parkinson's disease, including the pre-motor phase, such as loss of smell, sleep disturbances, constipation, depression, and more.