Worsening Parkinson's disease symptoms can be easy to write off as your "new normal." But as your Parkinson's symptoms worsen, you and your doctor can explore treatment options to ease them.
Your health care team can also help you manage your symptoms with many types of therapy. To feel your best, let your care team know right away about any worsening symptoms.
It's especially important when your symptoms affect your day-to-day life. Early treatment can help you stay independent longer and lower risk of complications.
Why Parkinson's Symptoms Get Worse Over Time
Parkinson's is a complex brain disorder where some of your brain cells begin to die. These nerve cells in your brain make dopamine, a brain chemical that controls how you move.
When Parkinson's symptoms become noticeable, you may have lost over 60% to 80% of these brain cells. Another brain chemical called norepinephrine can also get lower with Parkinson's and cause blood pressure changes and fatigue.
Your doctor can help you make a treatment plan to manage your symptoms. Even though the plan can change over time, your plan can help:
- Ease your Parkinson's symptoms
- Maintain independence
- Lower your risk of complications
Signs to Watch Out for With Later-Stage Parkinson's
Tell your doctor about any Parkinson's symptoms that become more serious. Your doctor can help you with the next steps to improve symptoms.
Here are some signs to watch out for.
Motor symptoms that get worse
Tell your doctor if you notice new problems with your gait, walking, or balance, such as:
- Worse or more frequent tremors
- Stiffness that gets worse
- Movements that seem slower than before
Feeling worse after exercise
Staying active is key for your health. After a workout, tell your doctor if you notice:
- Tremors getting worse
- Other motor symptoms that get worse
- More periods when you freeze up
Trouble speaking and swallowing
Worsening Parkinson's disease can affect your face, throat, and mouth muscles. Let your doctor know if you're having problems speaking, other people can't understand you, or you talk quieter than before.
Tell them if swallowing becomes harder, you get choked, or food gets stuck in your throat.
Trouble with your memory or thinking
If it gets harder to focus, do more than one thing at a time, or solve problems, let your doctor know, even if you find that it takes you longer to remember things or find the "right" words.
Your doctor can help with your memory and thinking, also called cognitive symptoms.
Concerns about your heart and blood vessels
Parkinson's disease can affect other things about your body, such as your heart function and blood pressure. When you go from sitting to standing, your blood pressure can drop and you may get dizzy, feel faint, or have blurred vision.
Constipation
You might not pass any stool for days or feel like you're straining harder to poop (have a bowel movement). You could also feel bloated and have belly pain.
Sleep issues
Sleep issues can commonly happen with Parkinson's. Tell your doctor if you have:
- Vivid dreams that wake you up
- Trouble getting comfortable in bed
- The need to pee often during the night
- Poor sleep from any of these
Fatigue
Fatigue isn't just being tired, or wanting to sleep. Fatigue usually means you don't have any energy. Both your body and your brain feel wiped out. If you have fatigue, let your doctor know.
Changes in your mental health
It's common as Parkinson's progresses to feel depressed, anxious, or have no interest in the activities you usually enjoy. Loved ones may point out that you're not acting like yourself. If this happens, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
How Parkinson's Progresses
Your Parkinson's symptoms are likely to worsen gradually over time. If your symptoms worsen quickly or shift suddenly, it could be something else. Tell your doctor right away if you have a sudden change in your symptoms, or unusual symptoms.
If there is another reason besides your Parkinson's disease, your doctor can help you figure it out and treat what's going on.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Worsening Symptoms
The more information you share with your doctor, the better they can help you. And with better treatment, you can prepare for your future and prevent complications.
Your Parkinson's symptoms can be hard to predict. Each day can come with a unique challenge, but you're not on your own. Your care team and loved ones are there to support you.
Ask your doctor about local resources to help support you and your loved ones. Finding others going through the same challenges is a great way to get tips and support.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images
SOURCES:
National Institute on Aging: "Parkinson's Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments."
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: "Parkinson's Disease."
Parkinson's Foundation: "Newly Diagnosed Guide," "Sleep Problems in Parkinson's," "Speech & Swallowing Issues," "Constipation and Other Gastrointestinal Problems In Parkinson's Disease," "Fatigue."
UNC Health: "Understanding Treatment Options for Parkinson's Disease."
National Health Service (U.K.): "Parkinson's Care Plan – Take Control."
Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's: "4 Reasons Your Parkinson's Symptoms May Be Worse After Exercise."
American Parkinson Disease Association: "Understanding What Factors May Worsen Parkinson's Symptoms," "How Parkinson's Disease Affects the Heart," "How Parkinson's Can Affect Mental Health."
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: "Memory & Thinking Changes," "Thinking & Memory Changes in Parkinson's," "Fatigue & Sleep."
