Stages of Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson's Foundation
- Apr 15, 2021
- 2 min read
Written by Parkinson's Foundation, reviewed by Dr. Ryan Barmore, Movement Disorders
Fellow at the University of Florida, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) impacts people in different ways. Not everyone will experience all the symptoms of Parkinson’s, and if they do, they won’t necessarily experience them in quite the same order or at the same intensity. There are typical patterns of progression in Parkinson’s disease that are defined in stages.
Stage One
During this initial stage, the person has mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremor and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only. Changes in posture, walking and facial expressions occur.
Stage Two
Symptoms start getting worse. Tremor, rigidy and other movement symptoms affect both sides of the body. Walking problems and poor posture may be apparent. The person is still able to live alone, but daily tasks are more difficult and lengthy.
Stage Three
Considered mid-stage, loss of balance and slowness of movements are hallmarks. Falls are more common. The person is still fully independent, but symptoms significantly impair activities such as dressing and eating.
Stage Four
At this point, symptoms are severe and limiting. It’s possible to stand without assistance, but movement may require a walker. The person needs help with activities of daily living and is unable to live alone.
'
Stage Five
This is the most advanced and debilitating stage. Stiffness in the legs may make it impossible to stand or walk. The person requires a wheelchair or is bedridden. Around-the-clock nursing care is required for all activities. The person may experience hallucinations and delusions. The Parkinson’s community acknowledges that there are many important non-motor symptoms as well as motor symptoms.
Rating Scales
Your doctor may refer to a scale to help them understand the progression of the disease. Parkinson's stages correspond both to the severity of movement symptoms and to how much the disease affects a person’s daily activities. The most commonly used rating scales focus on motor symptoms. They are the:
Hoehn and Yahr stages follow a simple rating scale, first introduced in 1967. Clinicians use it to describe how motor symptoms progress in PD.
Rates symptoms on a scale of 1 to 5. On this scale, 1 and 2 represent early-stage, 2 and 3 mid-stage, and 4 and 5 advanced-stage Parkinson's.
The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) is a more comprehensive tool used to account for non-motor symptoms, including mental functioning, mood and social interaction.
Accounts for cognitive difficulties, ability to carry out daily activities and treatment complications.
New scales include information on non-motor symptoms (such as sense of smell).
While symptoms and disease progression are unique to each person, knowing the typical stages of Parkinson’s can help you cope with changes as they occur. Some people experience the changes over 20 years or more. Others find the disease progresses more quickly.
References:
https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/What-is-Parkinsons/Stages-of-Parkinsons
After my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, it felt like our world was falling apart. With the guidance and care of Dr. Kokobi, we began to find hope again. My wife followed the treatment plan he provided, and over time her health has greatly improved. We are truly grateful to God for using him in her healing journey. I sincerely recommend kokobiherbalremedycentre@gmail. com for his support, care, and dedication.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago. For over two years, I relied on Levodopa and several other medications, but unfortunately, the symptoms kept getting worse. The tremors became more noticeable, and my balance and mobility started to decline quickly. Last year, out of desperation and hope, I decided to try an herbal treatment program from NaturePath Herbal Clinic. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but within a few months of starting the treatment, I began to notice real changes. My movements became smoother, the tremors subsided, and I felt steadier on my feet. Incredibly, I also regained much of my energy and confidence. It’s been a life-changing experience I feel more like myself again, better than I’ve…
After years of struggling with advanced Parkinson’s and finding little relief through conventional treatments, I turned to EarthCure Herbal Clinic and it changed everything. Their personalized herbal program significantly reduced my tremors, improved my mobility, and restored my energy. For the first time in years, I feel hopeful and in control of my life again. I’m truly grateful to www.earthcureherbalclinic.com and highly recommend their approach to anyone facing Parkinson’s or similar challenges.
I was diagnosed with ALS three years ago. At first, I followed the standard medical treatments, but over time, my symptoms kept getting worse. Muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, and fatigue became part of my daily life, and it felt like things were only going downhill.
Out of hope and a bit of desperation, I decided to try herbal treatment program from NaturePath Herbal Clinic. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first, but within a few months of starting the treatment, I began to notice meaningful changes. My strength gradually returned, I could speak more clearly, and my energy improved. Most importantly, the progression of symptoms seemed to slow down dramatically.
It’s been a truly life-changing experience. I feel more like…
People think that Parkinson’s disease is incurable and cannot be reversed. However, that’s not entirely true. A close friend’s mother, who had been living with Parkinson’s for years, recently experienced a remarkable improvement after following a natural treatment program from Earth Cure Herbal Clinic, which we discovered on Google. If you or someone you know is struggling with Parkinson’s and seeking alternative options, I highly recommend visiting their website: www.earthcureherbalclinic.com to learn more about their remission programs.