-
Stage I
- •Considered the beginning stage of the disease.
- •Signs and symptoms are only on one side of the body
- –Usually has tremors in one limb
- •Symptoms are mild
- •Symptoms are inconvenient but not disabling
- •Noticeable changes in posture, locomotion, and facial expression.
-
Stage II (Mild Stage)
- •Symptoms occur on both sides of the body
- –Tremors worsen
- –Focal dystonia- impairment of muscle tone
- •Minimal disability
- •Posture and gait are affected
- –Slow, shuffling gait (potential for falls)
- •Masklike facies
-
Stage II (Moderate)
- (Stages III, IV, and V – are when a person develops significant disability from Parkinson’s disease)
- •Significant slowing of body movements
- •Early impairment of equilibrium when walking or standing
- –Unsteady gait and bent forward
- –Postural instability
- •Generalized dysfunction that is moderately severe
-
Stage IV (Severe disability)
- –Advanced disease
- –Severe symptoms
- •Person can still walk to a limited extent
- –Shuffling gait – shuffles fast and can fall forward
- •Rigidity and bradykinesia/akinesia are present
- •Person is no longer able to live alone
- •Tremor may be less than earlier stages
-
Stage V (complete ADL dependence)
- –Cachectic state – loss of strength, weight, muscle mass
- –Major loss of mental capacity
- –Invalid – needs constant nursing care
- –Person cannot stand or walk
- •Wheelchair or bedbound
|
|
