Parkinsonism (patient information)

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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.