Parkinson - Diagnosis

Diagnosis is clinical. Parkinson's disease is suspected in patientsover 55 years, resting tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement.Diagnosis is confirmed by this characteristic signs: lack of facial expression, blinking slowly, impaired postural reflexes, gaitcharacteristics (small steps, lack of balance arms while walking).

Medical history includes questions about the history of headtrauma, stroke, hydrocephalus, exposure to toxins and the presence of symptoms or history of degenerative neurologicaldisorders.

The differential diagnosis is made ​​with: Alzheimer essentialtremor, normal pressure hydrocephalus, progressive supranuclearpalsy, dementia with Lewy bodies, etc..

The tremor in the absence of other characteristic signs indicate anearly stage of disease or another diagnosis. The elderly, reducedspontaneous movements or difficulty walking, small steps can result from depression or dementia.