What is the difference between Parkinsonism vs Parkinson’s disease? In simple terms, Parkinson’s is a disease whereas Parkinsonism is a range of symptoms that are usually seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease, but sometimes occurring as a result of other neurodegenerative disorders.
Unless you are a medical professional, there might appear to be very little difference between Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism.
On the surface, they appear to be exactly the same condition: both are characterized by tremors, stiffness, balance issues, and slowness of movement, but this is where the similarities end.
Whereas Parkinsonism encompasses the four main movement problems seen in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson’s disease itself is a progressive and highly degenerative disorder that causes many other symptoms as well as those seen in Parkinsonism.
Parkinson’s Diseases
Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system and is caused by a gradual loss of brain cells. Some of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are muscle tremors, muscle cramps and rigidity in the joints, problems with balance and movement, and a condition known as bradykinesia (a delay in initiating movement).
There are however many other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including sleep problems, depression, and partial paralysis of facial muscles leading to an expressionless facial mask.
Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism refers to a broad range of symptoms that are typically associated with Parkinson’s disease. These include muscle stiffness, tremors when resting, balance problems, freezing in the middle of an action, stooped posture, and a slowness to move.
In order to be diagnosed with Parkinsonism, a patient must exhibit at least two out of the six symptoms of Parkinsonism.
What is the Difference Between Parkinsonism vs Parkinson’s Disease?
Although Parkinsonism is most often caused by Parkinson’s disease, there are several other diseases and conditions that can result in the same symptoms. As a result, any patient exhibiting Parkinsonism symptoms will need to undergo tests to establish what the underlying cause of the symptoms is.
Tests that might be carried out include an MRI scan, blood tests, examinations, and an analysis of the patient’s medical history.
As well as Parkinson’s disease, other possible causes of Parkinsonism symptoms are “Parkinson Plus” syndromes.
These include some types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and diffuse Lewy body disease.
Certain inherited diseases such as Wilson’s disease, a fairly rare disorder caused by a build up of copper in the brain, and Huntington’s disease can cause Parkinsonism symptoms.
Secondary Parkinsonism symptoms can arise as a result of brain injuries, strokes, and any other condition whereby blood vessels and arteries are obstructed.
Brain inflammation caused by encephalitis can lead to Parkinsonism symptoms, as can hydrocephalus.
Parkinsonism can also occur as a side effect of certain drugs, including recreational drugs such as ecstasy. Some anti-psychotic drugs are also well known to cause Parkinsonism as an unwelcome side effect.
In all cases of Parkinsonism, unless the symptoms can definitely be attributed to Parkinson’s disease, it is vital that the underlying cause is found in order to prevent any further damage to the brain from occurring.
Steve Ward says
I was diagnosed mid 2019 with possibly having had a stroke. Symptoms included gate issues, Right side affected including symptoms of pain in my shoulder, loss of movement and strength in my right arm and hand. Covid-19 kept me from seeing my neurologist. Just had my 1st follow up appointment 4/20/21.
After doing all the standard physical tests for strength, balance and mobility the doctor tells me he thinks he misdiagnosed the stroke after having had 2 scans of my brain in 2019 that showed nothing…
He now believes I have PD? What the f…? He advised the only way to confirm if it is PD is to have the DaTScan? Is there any other test like a blood test that can determine if the PD diagnosis is valid.
Steve W (67)
Leanora M Drude (Laurie) says
I am interested in natural cures vs. drugs…..
What herbs/vitamins are recommended to lessen symptoms?
Diet…what foods to eat/what foods to avoid?
Exercises…..what exercises help with stiffness, balance, tremors, leg weakness?
I do LSVD exercises daily, sometimes 2x. Will 2x daily increase mobility, or is once daily sufficient?
I attend monthly group to do review LSVD exercises. I participated in the 6 week course.
Would like to see more social/physical activities in the southern part of Vt. (Windsor-Spfld-BF)
I was dianosed in 2013. My age is 76.
marci e barnett says
hello
is there a clear and definitive test that can give a diagnosis of Parkinson disease
please comment
jon says
I just had an 8K DAT scan to diagnose parkinsons for nothing, came back inconclusive. so, no, I dont think there is.
wayne weinsheimer says
It’s terrible that you can’t get an appointment for several months while the disease worsens! care-dopa does nothing!
Leanora M Drude says
This seems to be a constant problem…
jon says
in my area, most neorologists offices are run horribly. they just dont care.