Can Parkinson's symptoms stay mild? Not all people with Parkinson's disease will experience severe symptoms. Certain individuals respond to treatment and develop only mild symptoms. Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, it is possible to live a full and active life with this condition.
The primary Parkinson's disease symptoms — tremors, rigid muscles, slow movement (bradykinesia), and difficulty balancing — may be mild at first but will gradually become more intense and debilitating. Parkinson's symptoms can become more severe over a period of 20 years or even longer.
Individuals with PD may have a slightly shorter life span compared to healthy individuals of the same age group. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, patients usually begin developing Parkinson's symptoms around age 60 and many live between 10 and 20 years after being diagnosed.
Stage one. People with Parkinson's disease experience mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily living and activities. Tremor and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only. They may also experience changes in posture, walking and facial expressions.
Levodopa. Most people with Parkinson's disease eventually need a medication called levodopa. Levodopa is absorbed by the nerve cells in your brain and turned into the chemical dopamine, which is used to transmit messages between the parts of the brain and nerves that control movement.
However, some studies have identified cases where Parkinson's disease symptoms disappear. In one study, a 78-year-old man experienced a remission of all symptoms 16 years after his diagnosis. Although full remission is very rare, it can happen in some cases.
In most cases, symptoms change slowly, with substantive progression taking place over the space of many months or years. Many people with PD have symptoms for at least a year or two before a diagnosis is actually made. The longer symptoms are present, the easier it is to predict how a person with PD will do over time.
“Movement, especially exercises that encourage balance and reciprocal patterns [movements that require coordination of both sides of your body], can actually slow progression of the disease,” she says.
A better ability to move means a better quality of life. Quality of life is a key treatment goal for people with Parkinson disease. It also is a more likely outcome for those who receive comprehensive care that includes physical therapy.
Tremors, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement are all common early symptoms of Parkinson's – but there are also other signs to be aware of. Sleep and night-time problems are common in Parkinson's. People with Parkinson's are more likely to experience insomnia due to certain symptoms which can disrupt sleep.
Some studies have reported that the average time from onset of Parkinson's to developing dementia is about 10 years. One large study found that about three-quarters of people who live with Parkinson's for more than 10 years will develop dementia.
According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, patients usually live between 10 and 20 years after diagnosis.
A person with early onset Parkinson's will likely be able to continue working, driving, and enjoying a family and social life, although adaptations may be necessary in time. Those who are planning to have children may wish to consider genetic testing and counseling to establish whether there may be a hereditary risk.
Stage 2 of Parkinson's disease is considered a 'moderate' form of the condition, with symptoms becoming more noticeable than the previous stage. Examples include noticeable tremors, stiffness, and trembling. Also, changes to facial expressions can occur but are not always apparent to others.
Stage One. During this initial stage, the person has mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremor and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only. Changes in posture, walking and facial expressions occur.
Symptoms usually get worse over time, and new ones probably will pop up along the way. Parkinson's doesn't always affect how long you live. But it can change your quality of life in a major way. After about 10 years, most people will have at least one major issue, like dementia or a physical disability.
The symptoms can come and go with suddenness, prompting some to compare it to turning a light switch on and off. Doctors sometimes shorten the interval between levodopa doses or prescribe additional medications to provide relief during off periods.
Sudden deterioration in Parkinson's disease is frequently encountered in clinical practice. It usually occurs over several days or weeks, and the cause is most likely related to a symptom rather than progression of the condition.
There are some symptoms that are very commonly associated with PD, others that are virtually never associated with PD, and some that fall in between. Some non-motor symptoms that may be related to PD but that few people know about are runny nose, excessive sweating, specific skin disorders and breathing problems.
Multiple system atrophy – the cousin of Parkinson's disease. MSA is a degenerative brain disorder that impairs the body's functions, including blood pressure, heart rate, bladder function and is related to Parkinson's disease.
There isn't a specific test to diagnose Parkinson's disease. A doctor trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.