- Tremor -- trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
- Rigidity -- stiffness of the limbs and trunk
- Bradykinesia -- slowness of movement
- Postural instability -- impaired balance
In addition, some people with Parkinson’s disease may develop cognitive impairment: defects in thinking, language, and problem-solving.
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10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Parkinson's Disease
1. Why did I develop Parkinson's disease? 2. What are my treatment options? 3. What are the pros and cons of each treatment? 4. What short-term and long-term side effects can I expect from the treatment? Is there anything I can do to minimize them? 5. Can you recommend any support groups for my family and me? 6. Are there any non-drug options that might help? What lifestyle modifications can I...
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Many people with early Parkinson’s disease can safely continue driving, especially if symptoms are controlled. Because Parkinson’s disease worsens over time, however, many people with Parkinson's disease eventually will need to give up driving a car and rely on other forms of transportation.
In American culture, driving is strongly associated with self-reliance and freedom. Some people with the condition may recognize the safety risks and voluntarily agree to limit or stop driving a car. But others may be unable to acknowledge that their driving skills are seriously impaired and insist on driving despite the safety risks to themselves and others.
How Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Affect Driving Skills
Parkinson’s disease symptoms vary from patient to patient. They can range from mild to severe. But even in mild cases, common symptoms such as shaking in the arms, hands, or legs; impaired balance; and slowed physical and mental responses can affect driving skills.
Episodes of tremor, for example, often begin in a hand or a foot and can affect the ability to operate a car’s controls. Rigidity can result in jerky motions while steering. Slow movement can interfere with braking in heavy traffic or ability to quickly react to road hazards. Postural instability often results in a stooped posture in which the head is bowed and shoulders are drooped, further reducing drivers’ awareness of their surroundings.
For many people with early Parkinson’s disease, medications can reduce symptoms. But medications may have side effects, such as drowsiness, that can affect driving as well. It can be difficult for doctors to devise a medication plan that reduces the primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and allows some patients to drive without causing side effects that make driving a car even more dangerous.