Clinical Manifestations of Parkinson's Disease
Disease description:
A colleague's grandfather has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and they are unsure about the symptoms. What are the clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease mainly include the following aspects:
1. Resting tremor: This is the most common symptom of Parkinson's disease, characterized by coarse, rhythmic tremors that occur at rest. It typically begins in the distal part of one upper limb and gradually spreads to the ipsilateral lower limb and contralateral limbs. The tremor worsens with emotional excitement and disappears during sleep.
2. Muscle rigidity: Patients experience muscle stiffness, with effortful, heavy, and fatiguing movements. Muscle rigidity can be categorized into "lead-pipe rigidity," which presents as uniform resistance during passive movement, and "cogwheel rigidity," which involves a ratchet-like jerking sensation accompanied by tremors.
3. Bradykinesia: Patients experience slow movements, with difficulties in performing fine motor tasks such as writing and tying shoelaces. Facial expressions are reduced, presenting as a "masked face." Gait disturbances are also a manifestation of bradykinesia, with difficulty initiating walking, smaller steps, and increasing speed while walking, resulting in festinating gait.
4. Postural and gait abnormalities: Patients often develop a characteristic flexed posture, such as forward flexion of the head and trunk. While walking, their steps are small and quick, with reduced arm swing, and gait disturbances are particularly evident when turning.
