What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.
Currently, there is no cure.
Parkinson’s can progress at a different rate for each person. As the disease progresses, non-motor symptoms may also appear, such as depression, difficulty swallowing, cognitive changes or hallucinations.
Most Common Symptoms- Tremor
- Slowness and stiffness
- Impaired balance
- Rigidity of the muscles
- Fatigue
- Soft speech
- Problems with handwriting
- Stooped posture
- Constipation
- Sleep disturbances
Resources
Parkinson Canada (PSC) Publications
With input from health professionals based on the latest evidence, PSC produces materials covering a wide range of topics (from facts about disease to a guide on non-motor symptoms) in printer-friendly formats for people with Parkinson’s, for caregivers and for health professionals.
Education Materials in Other Languages
Canada is known for its diversity and a significant proportion of its population does not report English or French as their spoken first language. In addition to English and French materials on this website, PSC provides its four most popular publications in the top five most common languages spoken: German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Punjabi.
Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is complex and each person’s journey is unique, from age of onset to diagnosis and management of symptoms. The Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease aim to create a consistent standard for diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s. This will enable all practitioners to work effectively and will improve the course of their treatment for patients and clients.
