Symptoms
There are some major symptoms that identify with Parkinson’s, some of which includes:
- Tremor, especially in the upper limbs, jaw, or head
- Stuff muscles
- Slowness in movement
- Problem with balance and coordination
Other complications that may develop include:
- Trouble swallowing
- Depression [3]
- Difficulty speaking
- Constipation [4]
- Loss of bladder control
- Sleep disruption
- Development of oily or flaky skin
Diagnosis
There is no particular test to diagnose Parkinson’s. Like with essential tremor, diagnosis is made by your medical history, symptoms, and the result of neurological and physical exams.
Your doctor may also conduct blood tests and imaging techniques like MRI to help rule out other conditions. A dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan) [5] can help identify changes in dopamine levels in your brain which may be helpful in diagnosing Parkinson’s.