[Medical Q&A] Slow movements and dull expressions - is this Parkinson's disease?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Tian Jinzhou, Chief Physician, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Slow movements and a dull expression can be symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but they can also be related to other health problems.

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and elderly people, mainly manifested by motor symptoms such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and posture and gait disorders, and may be accompanied by non-motor symptoms such as hyposmia, sleep disorders, and autonomic dysfunction. Among them, bradykinesia is manifested as reduced voluntary movements, slow and clumsy movements, dull facial expressions, and smaller handwriting. However, these symptoms are not unique to Parkinson's disease. Diseases such as dementia, hypothyroidism, and multiple system atrophy may also cause patients to have similar changes in movement and expression.

If one side of the upper limb shakes involuntarily and rhythmically, which is obvious when still and relieved after movement; the limb is stiff; the movements are slower than before, and the foot drags on the ground when walking; the expression of expression decreases, or even inexplicable falls, accompanied by dry stools, decreased sense of smell, shouting and kicking in sleep, etc., you need to be alert to Parkinson's disease.