What are the 5 stages of Parkinson’s disease?

Jaipur Neuro
3 min readJun 3, 2020

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When you or your loved ones experience uncontrollable shaking or tremors, it is better to consult a doctor. Combined with tremors, the lack of coordination, slowed movement, balancing problems, stiffness in limbs, and speaking difficulties can indicate Parkinson’s disease (PD). The progressive disease is detected with ease by an experienced and proficient neurologist in Jaipur. With early intervention, it is possible to reduce the severity of the symptoms and the complications associated with it. The disease is divided into five stages based on the symptoms and severity. So, the different stages of the disease are:

Stage 1

It is the mildest form of the disease and does not affect your daily tasks or functions. The symptoms are minimal. Many people miss the symptoms as it is not severe. But, the stage 1 can trigger the following:

  • Changes in postures
  • Facial expression changes
  • Develop tremors on one side of the body
  • One side of the body suffers from movement difficulties

During the stage, the doctor prescribes medications to reduce and minimize the symptoms.

Stage 2

During the stage, you can suffer from moderate symptoms of the disease. But, the symptoms are more noticeable compared to stage 1. So, a person suffering from the stage of PD can experience the following:

  • Stiffness of limbs
  • Noticeable tremors or trembling
  • Distinct changes in facial expression
  • Develop or increases the difficulty in walking
  • Changes in posture
  • Speech difficulties

When you progress to the stage, the symptoms develop on both sides of the body. You need no physical assistance during the stage. The progression from stage 1 to the next stage happens gradually over time. So, it can take from months to years depending on the particular individual.

Stage 3

It is the middle stage of the disease that causes severe issues. The symptoms developed during the stage can affect your everyday functions. So, you will have trouble completing the daily tasks. The symptoms associated are:

  • Decreased reflexes
  • Loss of balance
  • Slower movements

During the stage, the neurologist in Jaipur develops a customized treatment plan combining medication and occupational therapy to reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Stage 4

When a person progresses to stage 4, they can become dependent on others. People are unable to live alone as they suffer from delayed reaction times and a decrease in movement. Stage 4 prevents people to complete their daily tasks. It becomes dangerous to live alone as they face an increased risk of falling down and unable to stand without assistance. So, they need an assistive device like a walker for movement.

Stage 5

It is the advanced stage of the disease. When a person reaches the stage, they suffer from advanced stiffness in the limbs. So, they find it difficult to stand or walk. They need assistive devices like wheelchairs to move around. You need round-the-clock assistance to prevent falls or enable movement. Other symptoms associated are:

While you have no permanent cure available for the disease, by getting the assistance of the best neurologist, you can reduce the severity of the symptoms. Find the best by searching the neurologist near me to get the medical intervention to improve the quality of your life.

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Jaipur Neuro
Jaipur Neuro

Written by Jaipur Neuro

Neurologist & Interventional Neurologist. Dr Vikram Bohra is among very few of the interventional neurologists in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

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