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Parkinson’s Disease:
A Patient Guide
Understanding Parkinson’s disease, recognizing symptoms, learning about treatment options, and knowing how to stay active and involved in your care.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects movement. It develops when nerve cells in an area of the brain involved in movement become damaged or are lost over time.
These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps the brain control smooth, coordinated movement. As dopamine levels decrease, movement can become slower and more difficult.
Parkinson’s affects each person differently. Not everyone develops the same symptoms, and symptoms may change as the condition progresses.
Parkinson’s disease can cause tremor, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, and changes in walking or balance. It can also cause symptoms unrelated to movement, including changes in sleep, mood, digestion, sense of smell, blood pressure, and thinking.
Symptoms usually develop gradually and can vary considerably from person to person. Treatment can help manage symptoms and support mobility, independence, and quality of life.
Common Parkinson’s Symptoms
Movement Changes
Walking & Balance
Non-Movement Symptoms
Parkinson’s may cause slowness of movement (bradykinesia), tremor, muscle stiffness, reduced arm swing, smaller movements, or changes in handwriting. Symptoms may initially be more noticeable on one side of the body.
Changes may include shorter or shuffling steps, difficulty turning, freezing of gait, stooped posture, and problems with balance. These symptoms can affect mobility and increase the risk of falls.
Parkinson’s can also cause symptoms unrelated to movement, including constipation, sleep problems, fatigue, reduced sense of smell, anxiety or depression, urinary symptoms, dizziness when standing, and changes in memory or thinking.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?
Medical History & Neurological Exam
Response to Medication
Imaging & Other Testing
Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed primarily through a medical history and neurological examination. Your provider will ask about your symptoms, when they began, and how they have changed over time.
The examination may evaluate tremor, muscle stiffness, speed of movement, coordination, walking, balance, posture, facial expression, and speech.
A clear improvement in movement symptoms after treatment with levodopa, a medication that helps replace dopamine activity in the brain, can provide additional information that supports a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Response to medication is considered along with the neurological examination and other clinical findings.
There is no single blood test or routine imaging test that confirms Parkinson’s disease. MRI, laboratory tests, or other studies may be ordered to help rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
In selected cases, specialized dopamine-transporter imaging, such as a DaTscan, may help determine whether there is reduced dopamine activity in the brain. It is used as a supporting test and does not diagnose Parkinson’s disease by itself.
Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease can take time. Regular follow-up allows your neurology provider to monitor changes in your symptoms, examination, and response to treatment.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?
01
Parkinson’s Medications
02
Exercise & Rehabilitation
Medications can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. Carbidopa/levodopa is commonly used to improve movement symptoms by increasing available dopamine activity in the brain.
Other medications may be used depending on symptoms, response to treatment, age, and side effects. Medication schedules often require adjustment over time.
Regular exercise is an important part of Parkinson’s care. Physical therapy can address walking, balance, strength, flexibility, and fall prevention.
Occupational and speech therapy may also help maintain independence, communication, voice, and swallowing function.
03
Managing Everyday Symptoms
04
Advanced Treatment Options
Treatment may also address constipation, sleep problems, dizziness, mood changes, urinary symptoms, pain, fatigue, swallowing difficulties, and cognitive changes.
Tell your healthcare team about non-movement symptoms—they are an important part of Parkinson’s care.
For selected patients whose symptoms are no longer adequately controlled with medication alone, treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other device-assisted therapies may be considered.
Your neurology or movement-disorders team can determine whether advanced treatment is appropriate.
Medication timing matters. Take Parkinson’s medications according to your prescribed schedule. Tell your neurology team about wearing-off, involuntary movements (dyskinesias), falls, hallucinations, swallowing problems, or medication side effects.
Living Well With Parkinson’s Disease
Stay Active & Prevent Falls
Support Your Everyday Health
Stay Engaged & Independent
Regular exercise can support strength, flexibility, balance, walking, and overall mobility. Keep walkways clear, use good lighting, wear supportive footwear, and use recommended mobility devices.
Tell your healthcare team about falls, near-falls, freezing episodes, or increasing difficulty walking.
Maintain good hydration and balanced nutrition. Consistent sleep and regular activity can also support overall health.
Discuss constipation, weight loss, appetite changes, dizziness, sleep problems, or swallowing difficulties with your healthcare team. These symptoms are important parts of Parkinson’s care.
Continue hobbies, social activities, family relationships, and activities that are meaningful to you whenever possible.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can provide strategies to help maintain independence, communication, mobility, and safety as your needs change.
The goal is not simply to manage symptoms—it is to help you remain safe, active, independent, and involved in the activities that matter to you.
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
Contact your healthcare team if you notice:
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Increasing difficulty walking or balancing
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New or worsening falls
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More frequent freezing episodes
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Increased tremor, stiffness, or slowness
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Medication wearing off before the next dose
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New or worsening involuntary movements (dyskinesias)
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Difficulty completing usual daily activities
Let your healthcare team know about:
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New difficulty swallowing or frequent choking
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Hallucinations or significant behavioral changes
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New or worsening confusion or memory problems
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Persistent dizziness or fainting
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Significant constipation or urinary problems
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Changes in sleep, mood, or daytime alertness
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Unexplained weight loss or reduced appetite
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Medication side effects
When Should I Seek Medical Care?
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for:
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Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body
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Facial drooping or sudden difficulty speaking
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Sudden severe confusion or loss of consciousness
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Sudden significant vision changes
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New seizure
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Severe difficulty breathing
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Severe choking or inability to safely swallow
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A serious fall or head injury
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Sudden inability to walk or a dramatic change from the person's usual condition
Important medication warning
Do not abruptly stop Parkinson’s medications unless directed by a healthcare professional. Sudden withdrawal of dopaminergic medications can potentially cause serious complications.
