Parkinson’s disease affects everyone differently. Initially, mild symptoms may only affect one side of your body. As the disease progresses, symptoms can affect both sides. Mobility and daily activities often become more challenging.

Common Symptoms 

Signs of Parkinson’s disease include: 

• Balance and coordination problems 
• Difficulty using your hands and fingers (impaired dexterity) 
• Hand and leg tremors 
• Limb stiffness  
• Slowed movements and walking  

Parkinson’s disease occurs when proteins build up in nerve cells in your brain. These proteins damage or destroy the nerve cells that control movement.

Some people inherit a specific gene change (mutation) that leads to Parkinson’s disease. As many as 1 in 4 people with Parkinson’s disease have a relative with the disease.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease can be challenging. Other movement disorders share similar symptoms. Diagnosis relies on careful evaluation not only of your symptoms but of your body as a whole. As a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, our team has the clinical expertise to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Parkinson’s is a clinical diagnosis based on a detailed interview and neurologic examination. In certain cases, it may be necessary to do additional testing, such as:

• Drug challenge test: Your provider checks to see if your symptoms get better after taking a dopamine replacement medication (levodopa). Symptom improvement may indicate Parkinson’s disease.
• Neuroimaging: Medical imaging tests, such as a brain MRI, can rule out other conditions.
• Skin Biopsy: A Syn-One Test® detects abnormal proteins in the skin that may indicate Parkinson’s disease.
• Dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan): This nuclear imaging test uses a safe radioactive substance to view the brain’s dopamine system.
• Genetic testing: This specialized blood test checks for specific gene changes (mutations) that cause Parkinson’s disease in a small number of people.

Our nationally recognized Parkinson’s Multidisciplinary Clinic brings together all the specialists and therapies you need in one convenient location. We develop a customized treatment plan for your unique symptoms and needs.

Exercise is the single best thing you can do to lower your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. There’s also evidence that minimizing your exposure to pesticides and toxins helps.