Weigh In: The Lesser Known Symptoms of Parkinson's
We at ParkinsonsDisease.net often hear from you, the community, that the lesser known, non-motor symptoms are some of the hardest to manage. And every week, you graciously vote in our polls and provide valuable feedback about your journey with Parkinson's, so in this article, we want your input! Weigh in on the polls below, and join the conversation at the bottom of the page.
Drooling
For some people with Parkinson's, the ability to swallow is affected, which can lead to having too much saliva. This excess of saliva can lead to drooling. Not only is this a hard symptom to manage in a social setting, but it can also lead to other oral problems.
Here are some articles we've published on the topic:
- Drooling Banjos: My Experience with Drooling
- Symptoms-Gastrointestinal Issues
Speech issues
There are several ways in which PD can affect speech, causing difficulties in communication with others. Whether it's soft speech, slurred speech, or speech becoming monotone, participating in conversations can become more difficult.
Read more about the personal experiences with speech difficulties:
- Learning the Hard Way: My Inability to Speak
- Speaking Slurganese
Sleep problems
Sleep disturbances in PwPs are very common, and can manifest in several different ways including: insomnia, restless leg syndrome, physically acting out dreams, and more. Not being able to get quality sleep can have major impacts to the quality of life for PwPs and their care partners.
Read more about some factors playing into sleep disturbances:
Hallucinations
Hallucinations can be frustrating and scary symptom to deal with. They are usually visual, but can be related to other senses like hearing. When hallucinations are experienced, it's important to discuss these episodes with your doctor to determine steps to help manage this symptom.
For more information on hallucinations:
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