Parkinson's Non Motor Symptoms
Non Motor Symptoms
The non motor symptoms can include anxiety, depression, apathy, constipation amongst others.
It is important to note that everybody experiences different combinations of symptoms and people do not experience all of the symptoms.
Cardiovascular
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure when changing positions, such as standing from sitting, can be part of Parkinson's or a side effect of Parkinson's medications.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/low-blood-pressure
Shortness of
Breath
Some people with Parkinson's may experience shortness of breath when their symptoms are going off and before their next dose of levodopa medication. Some people can experience respiratory dyskinesia which is an occurrence of irregular and rapid breathing, typically occurring when levodopa medications reach their peak effect. This is typically accompanied by dyskinesia (writhing movements) of other body parts.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/breathing
Emotions & Feelings
Feeling anxious, tense or nervous
Anxiety is not simply a reaction to a Parkinson's diagnosis, but is instead a part of the disease itself, caused by changes in the brain chemistry of the brain and can affect many people with Parkinson's. 40% of people with Parkinson's can suffer from anxiety. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/anxiety
Shortness of
Breath
Some people with Parkinson's may experience shortness of breath when their symptoms are going off and before their next dose of levodopa medication. Some people can experience respiratory dyskinesia which is an occurrence of irregular and rapid breathing, typically occurring when levodopa medications reach their peak effect. This is typically accompanied by dyskinesia (writhing movements) of other body parts.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/breathing
Feeling
Depressed
Depression is a part of Parkinson's itself, resulting from PD-related changes in brain chemistry. 50% of people with Parkinson's can suffer from depression. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/depression
Compulsive
Impulsive
Behaviours
Certain medications are thought to be linked to compulsive and impulsive behaviour, in particular dopamine agonists and, in some cases, levodopa. Compulsive behaviours can include excessive shopping, gambling, eating and sex.
Feeling Dizzy
or Faint
Some people with Parkinson's can suffer from dizziness and vertigo. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is the most commonly overlooked cause of dizziness in people with Parkinson’s. OH is a persistent drop in blood pressure that occurs upon moving from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting up or standing. Certain medications can also cause these symptoms or can occur after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Symptoms can be caused by low blood pressure for reasons other than OH such as anxiety, cold, flu, dehydration, heart conditions, migraine, and more.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/vertigo
Lack of
interest
(Apathy)
Apathy is a feeling of indifference or lack of interest or motivation in activities. It can be a Parkinson's symptom for some people.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/apathy
Lack of
joy
(Anhedonia)
Dopamine is a plays a large role in our ability to experience pleasure. Thus the lack of dopamine in some people with Parkinson's can limit the ability to enjoy things.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320737#What-does-anhedonia-feel-like?
Mood
swings
Parkinson's causes a decrease in dopamine and this can affect mood including feelings of irritability. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.med.upenn.edu/pdmdc/assets/user-content/mood.pdf
Food, Digestion and Weight
Bloated
Stomach bloating can be common in Parkinson's disease due to slow emptying of the stomach and slow movement of the intestines. It can be worsened by constipation, a bacteria in the stomach called Helicobacter Pylori or overgrowth of less healthy bacteria in the intestines. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinsonseurope.org/about-parkinsons/symptoms/non-motor-symptoms/bowel-problems/
Constipated
Parkinson's can affect the digestive system. When digestive tract movement slows in Parkinson's, it may lead to constipation. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/constipation
Diarrohea
Diarrohea can be a side effect of Parkinson's medication. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinsonseurope.org/about-parkinsons/symptoms/non-motor-symptoms/bowel-problems/
Excessive salivation (Sialorrhea)
Sialorrhea, is when your saliva builds up in your mouth due to not swallowing enough and can affect some people with Parkinson's.
Feeling Dizzy
or Faint
Some people with Parkinson's can suffer from dizziness and vertigo. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is the most commonly overlooked cause of dizziness in people with Parkinson’s. OH is a persistent drop in blood pressure that occurs upon moving from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting up or standing. Certain medications can also cause these symptoms or can occur after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Symptoms can be caused by low blood pressure for reasons other than OH such as anxiety, cold, flu, dehydration, heart conditions, migraine, and more.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/vertigo
Food
Cravings
Craving for sugary foods is common in Parkinson's. They can be caused by several reasons such as the impact of Parkinson's medication, lower dopamine levels during off times and or low mood. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/sugar-cravings-parkinsons/
Increased
Appetite
Increased appetite can occur due to impulse control disorders from certain Parkinson's medications and can lead to over eating or can occur after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a treatment for Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/maintaining-healthy-weight
Loss of
Smell
(Hyposmia)
Many people with Parkinson's report a loss of smell. This can affect the ability to taste food and drink. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/loss-of-smell
Loss of taste (ageusia)
Some people with Parkinson's report an inability to taste food and drink. This can also be related to a lack of the ability to smell foods. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/s/smell-and-taste-disorders.html
Nausea
Nausea is a sense of unease in the stomach and can occur with Parkinson's. This can be a Parkinson's medication side effect or due to a slower emptying of food out of the stomach or due to orthostatic hypotension.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/constipation
Reduced
appetite
Reduced appetite is a common problem for people with Parkinson's that can affect your ability to consume an adequate amount of food and fluid. There are many reasons your appetite may decrease with Parkinson's including low mood, nausea, decreased sense of smell, constipation, swallowing difficulties, fatigue and certain medications.
Swallow
issues
Swallowing problems can affect many people with Parkinson's. These can include coughing, choking or throat clearing when eating or drinking. Some people may feel like the food is getting "stuck" as it goes down.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/eating-swallowing-and-saliva-control
Weight
Gain
Weight gain can occur due to increase in craving sugary foods or due to side effects of drugs such as agonists or after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/maintaining-healthy-weight
Weight
Loss
Weight loss can occur due to loss in appetite, or excessive motor symptoms such as tremor or rigidity or from side effects of drugs such as dyskinesias (jerky movements).
Mental alertness and control
Difficulty
concentrating
Some people with Parkinson's may have more difficulty finding the right words when talking or writing when the dopamine levels drop in between doses of levodopa medication. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive
Difficulty
finding
words
Some people with Parkinson's may have more difficulty finding the right words when talking or writing when the dopamine levels drop in between doses of levodopa medication. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive
Difficulty
multi-tasking
Some people with Parkinson's may have more difficulty multi-tasking when the dopamine levels drop in between doses of levodopa medication. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive
Impulse control disorder (e.g. binge eating, shopping)
Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs) are closely related to use of Parkinson's medications (in particular agonists), and most commonly include: gambling, excessive spending, over eating or hypersexuality.
https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health/impulse-control
Lower tolerance for noise or light
Light sensitivity can be caused by dry eye from Parkinson's. Low tolerance for noise or light can also be a symptoms during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause and menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
Brain fog (Slowed thinking)
Brain fog is a condition that can abruptly affect the ability of people with Parkinson’s to focus and think clearly. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause and menopause for some women with Parkinson's. A strong contributing factor to brain fog is fatigue.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive
Pain
Backache
Parkinson's can contribute to factors that can cause or worsen lower back pain, such as rigidity (stiffness) of the trunk muscles or dystonia (abnormal muscle contractions caused by Parkinson's or Parkinson's medications) of the trunk muscles. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/pain
Headache
Headaches can happen for some people with Parkinson's and are sometimes caused by Parkinson's medications. They may also be related to musculoskeletal (muscle) pain in the neck and shoulders. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/pain.
Muscle &
joint pains
Pain in Parkinson's can be musculoskeletal, in which the pain results from problems with the muscles, bones or joints or cramping pain, which is due to abnormal muscle contractions caused by Parkinson's or the medications used to treat it.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/pain
Pain in
your body
Pain in Parkinson's can be musculoskeletal, in which the pain results from problems with the muscles, bones or joints or cramping pain, which is due to abnormal muscle contractions caused by Parkinson's or the medications used to treat it; It can also be nerve pain & central pain. Pain can get worse when the dopamine levels drop in between doses of levodopa medication.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/pain
Pins & Needles
Some people with Parkinson's report pins and needles or perhaps numbness in a limb. This can also be a symptom during peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/peripheral-neuropathy-parkinsons-disease/
Skin
Dry skin (Seborrheic dermatitis)
If skin becomes extremely oily it may also be red, flaky and itchy - this is known as seborrheic dermatitis and can be a symptom of Parkinson's. Skin may also become flaky, crusty or may peel. This mainly affects the scalp, face (particularly around the nose, the eyebrows and eyelids), ears (inside and out), chest and folds in the skin such as under the arms, breasts and groin. This can also be a symptom during peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/skin
Excessive
Sweating
Parkinson's can affect the part of the nervous system that controls sweating which can lead to excessive sweating or hot flushes (known as hyperhidrosis). It most often happens gets worse when the dopamine levels drop in between doses of levodopa medication. Some people can also experience sweating at night. This can also be a symptom during peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/skin
Hot flushes
Parkinson's can affect the part of the nervous system that controls sweating which can lead to excessive sweating or hot flushes (known as hyperhidrosis). It most often happens gets worse when the dopamine levels drop in between doses of levodopa medication. Some people can also experience sweating at night. This can also be a symptom during peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/skin
Lack of sweating (hypo hidrosis)
Some people with Parkinson's may not sweat enough. This may be a side-effect of anticholinergics, a type of medication used to treat Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/skin
Blurry
vision
Blurry vision can be caused by dry eyes due to decreased blinking is associated with Parkinson's. It can also be caused by Parkinson medication especially anticholinergics. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/vision
Dry Eyes
Dry eyes due to decreased blinking is associated with Parkinson's .This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/vision
Sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Daytime sleepiness related to Parkinson's may arise for many reasons, including getting a poor night's sleep or the use of Parkinson's medications, especially dopamine agonists. Excessive daytime sleepiness can occur because of night time sleep issues or due to your medication.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/sleep-disorders
Fatigue
About 50% of people with Parkinson's report that fatigues as a major problem. It can include physical fatigue: feeling deeply tired or weary and mental fatigue or mental tiredness makes it difficult to concentrate. Fatigue can may worsen with fluctuations. Mental fatigue: mental tiredness that makes it difficult to concentrate.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/fatigue
Sleep disordered breathing (sleep apnoea)
Sleep apnoea is identified as pauses of breathing during sleep which last at least 10 seconds each and which occur five times or more. Common symptoms include loud snoring, pause in breathing during night sleep and restless sleep. This can affect up to 40% of people with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/sleep-disorders
Difficulty in sleeping (Insomnia)
Insomnia is the inability to sleep. It includes difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, as well as waking up too early. Problems with sleep maintenance — such as frequently waking throughout the night with difficulty falling back to sleep — are the most common type of insomnia in people with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/sleep-disorders
Night
sweats
Night sweats are common is some people with Parkinson's. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/skin
Urinary and genital
Less interest in sex (Low Libido)
Low libido is a common symptom in Parkinson's. This can also be a symptom during the menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
Sudden
urge to urinate
You may feel the need to urinate immediately, at times without warning. This means that you cannot 'hold on' as you might do normally when you feel the urge to go. This can happen at night time too and is called nocturia. This can be a common symptom of Parkinson's. This can also be a symptom during peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
https://www.parkinsonseurope.org/about-parkinsons/symptoms/non-motor-symptoms/bladder-problems/
Vaginal dryness
Parkinson's can lead to vaginal dryness in some females. This can also be a symptom during peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause for some women with Parkinson's.
Hormones &their impacton women with Parkinson's
Women with Parkinson's experience hormonal symptoms during the menstrual cycle and the peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause that can mimic Parkinson's symptoms or seem to exacerbate or ease Parkinson's symptoms. Click here for more information.