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Parkinsonism

(Secondary Parkinsonism; Atypical Parkinsonism)

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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What is parkinsonism?

In Parkinsonism, you have symptoms of Parkinson disease, but they're caused by a different brain disorder or by certain drugs or poisons.

What causes parkinsonism?

Causes of parkinsonism include:

What are the symptoms of parkinsonism?

Parkinsonism symptoms include:

  • Your hand shakes while your muscles are relaxed (this is a key symptom, since most other hand tremors happen when hand muscles are in use)

  • Stiff muscles

  • Slow movements

  • Problems balancing and walking

  • Memory loss early on (in Parkinson disease memory loss occurs later)

  • Low blood pressure, difficulty swallowing, constipation, and urinary problems

  • Unusual eye movements

  • Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) early on (in Parkinson disease hallucinations occur later)

  • Problems using or understanding language

How can doctors tell if I have parkinsonism?

How do doctors treat parkinsonism?

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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