# Rigidity of Muscles:
Muscles often become stiff and inflexible. Normally after muscle contraction a muscle will relax. For Parkinsons
disease sufferers the muscle tone of an affected limb is stiff. Rigidity often results in a decreased range of motion.
It may also cause pain and cramps at the muscle site.
# Postural Instability:
Most Parkinson's disease sufferers find it difficult to stand up straight. They also find it difficult to stay
standing in one position for prolonged amounts of time. They are also more susceptible to falls as a result
of postural instability.
# Loss of Automatic
Movement: Many unconscious acts like blinking, smiling and swinging arms when walking are lost by Parkinson's
disease sufferers. Often they develop a fixed staring expression and appear to have no facial expression. They may also
appear to be drooling as they no longer automatically swallow.
# Impaired Speech:
Parkinson's disease sufferers often have problems speaking. Their voices are often monotonous and hard to hear.
# Micographia:
Often individuals with Parkinson's disease have very small writing as a result of difficulty with fine motor movements.
# Dementia, Confusion
and Anxiety: Secondary symptoms, Parkinson's disease suffers are often anxious and confused. These are
some of the most damaging symptoms.
# Loss of Energy
and Memory: Two of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson's disease are the loss of energy and memory. Parkinsons
sufferers are often very tired, but have difficulty sleeping. They also show signs of memory loss.
Parkinson's disease has a wide range of symptoms. Not all patients will experience the same symptoms.
This makes it difficult to detect and prevent Parkinsons. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is difficult as there are no
definitive tests to test for the disease. Parkinson's often goes undiagnosed as doctors may believe a patients symptoms are
a result of aging and not because of the disease.