Do my tremors and stiffness indicate Parkinson’s disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have noticed my left hand has started shaking when I am just sitting and relaxing, and it is becoming more obvious to my family and friends. My movements feel slower and stiffer than they used to be, especially when I am trying to get dressed or walk around the house. I have been having trouble with my balance lately and feel unsteady on my feet, which makes me nervous about falling.

My handwriting has become very small and cramped, and people tell me my voice sounds quieter and flatter than before. Could these motor symptoms be signs of Parkinson's disease, and what treatments are available to help manage the progression?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The symptoms you describe, resting hand tremor, slowness (bradykinesia), stiffness (rigidity), balance problems, small handwriting (micrographia), and softer speech (hypophonia), are classic features of Parkinson’s disease. A neurologist would confirm the diagnosis mainly from clinical examination, sometimes supported by tests like a dopamine transporter scan to assess dopamine activity in the brain.

Parkinson’s disease occurs when the brain cells that produce dopamine (a chemical important for smooth movement) gradually reduce in number. This leads to the typical motor symptoms you are experiencing.

The mainstay is Levodopa, which replaces dopamine and helps control stiffness and slowness. Other drugs like dopamine agonists and Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors are also used depending on age and symptoms.

Physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy help improve mobility, balance, speech, and daily functioning. Regular exercise, stretching, and a healthy diet support long-term mobility. If medicines stop working well after some years, treatments like deep-brain stimulation (DBS) surgery can help selected patients.

Parkinson’s usually progresses slowly over many years. Early and consistent treatment can greatly improve the quality of life and delay disability. Regular follow-up with a neurologist is important to adjust medicines and monitor balance and fall risk.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.