Parkinsonism (patient information)

	WikiDoc Resources for Parkinsonism (patient information)
Articles
Most recent articles on Parkinsonism (patient information) Most cited articles on Parkinsonism (patient information) Review articles on Parkinsonism (patient information) Articles on Parkinsonism (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Parkinsonism (patient information) Images of Parkinsonism (patient information) Photos of Parkinsonism (patient information) Podcasts & MP3s on Parkinsonism (patient information) Videos on Parkinsonism (patient information)
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Parkinsonism (patient information) Bandolier on Parkinsonism (patient information) TRIP on Parkinsonism (patient information)
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Parkinsonism (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Parkinsonism (patient information) Clinical Trials on Parkinsonism (patient information) at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Parkinsonism (patient information) NICE Guidance on Parkinsonism (patient information) NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Parkinsonism (patient information) CDC on Parkinsonism (patient information)
Books
Books on Parkinsonism (patient information)
News
Parkinsonism (patient information) in the news Be alerted to news on Parkinsonism (patient information) News trends on Parkinsonism (patient information)
Commentary
Blogs on Parkinsonism (patient information)
Definitions
Definitions of Parkinsonism (patient information)
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Parkinsonism (patient information) Discussion groups on Parkinsonism (patient information) Patient Handouts on Parkinsonism (patient information) Directions to Hospitals Treating Parkinsonism (patient information) Risk calculators and risk factors for Parkinsonism (patient information)
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Parkinsonism (patient information) Causes & Risk Factors for Parkinsonism (patient information) Diagnostic studies for Parkinsonism (patient information) Treatment of Parkinsonism (patient information)
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Parkinsonism (patient information)
International
Parkinsonism (patient information) en Espanol Parkinsonism (patient information) en Francais
Business
Parkinsonism (patient information) in the Marketplace Patents on Parkinsonism (patient information)
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Parkinsonism (patient information)

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is parkinsonism?

How do I know if I have parkinsonism and what are the symptoms of parkinsonism?

Parkinsonism refers to any condition that causes Parkinson's-type abnormal movements. Symptoms caused by Parkinsonism are the same as Parkinson's disease.

Tremor: Tremor is one of the most common signs. It often affects in a hand, arm, or leg. It occurs when the person is awake and sitting or standing still, and subsides when the person moves the affected body part.
Rigidity: Muscle stiffness often occurs in the limbs and neck. Later, the patient can not move an arm or leg normally and feel pain in the limb.
Decrease in facial expressions: This appearance is cause by loss of movement in the muscles in the face. Patients with Parkinsonism may feel it difficult to speak and swallow.
Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement and impaired balance occur in the later in the patients with Parkinsonism. They are likely to take small steps and shuffle with the feet close together. They also have trouble in turning around and keeping balance. These abnormities may result in frequent falls.
Some types of paralysis
Dementia: Patients may appear progressively memory loss, losing interest in things they previously enjoyed, difficulty communicating, reading or writing, difficulty with performing tasks. With time goes on, more signs such as withdrawing from social contact, personality changes and inappropriate behavior may be observed.

Who is at risk for parkinsonism?

Infections such as encephalitis, meningitis
Stroke
Brain tumor
Degenerative disorders: Corticobasal degeneration, dementia, diffuse Lewy body disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy
Toxins: Manganese, carbon monoxide, and methanol
Medications: Antipsychotics, metoclopramide, phenothiazine, overdose of anesthesia drugs

How to know you have parkinsonism?

Tests are not usually specific for parkinsonism. However, the goal of the tests is to confirm or rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms.

Meidcal history, physical examination and neurological evaluation
Blood tests: These tests include the check of thyroid function, liver function, kidney function, glucose levels, even the presence of any toxins.
Imaging studies such as head CT (computerized axial tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and positron emission computerized tomography (PET): These images can also be used to help doctors confirm or exclude the brain disease causing Parkinsonism.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Diseases with similar symptoms

Where to find medical care for parkinsonism?

Directions to Hospitals Treating parkinsonism

Prevention of parkinsonism

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Prognosis of Parkinsonism depends on the underlying cause. Outcomes of Parkinsonism caused by brain tumors are poorer than other causes. If the disorder is caused by medications, it may be reversible.