How does Parkinson's progress?

On this page we've listed some of the most common questions people have about how Parkinson's progresses.

How do Parkinson's symptoms progress?

Everyone's Parkinson’s experience is different, so it’s hard to predict how your symptoms may progress.

Parkinson's symptoms tend to appear gradually. The order they appear and the way they progress varies from person to person.

Also, how Parkinson's affects someone can change from day to day, and even from hour to hour. Symptoms that may be noticeable one day may not be a problem the next.

It’s important to remember that you might not experience every symptom.

The most common symptoms of Parkinson's are:

• tremor
• rigidity
• slowness of movement

But many people also have other symptoms, called non-motor symptoms. These include

• mild memory and thinking problems
• sleep problems
• pain
• mental health problems, including anxiety and depression

How can I manage the progression of my Parkinson's symptoms? 

While it isn't possible to slow down or stop your symptoms, many can be treated or managed with medication and therapies. Read more about treatments and therapies for Parkinson's.

Physical activity and exercise can also have a positive impact on your symptoms. The more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s.

Your Parkinson's is unique to you. This means there are lots of things that can help you manage your symptoms and what works for you may not work for someone else.

We have lots of real-life stories and Q&As with experts about how to manage symptoms in our magazine. 

What is advanced Parkinson's?

Advanced and more complex Parkinson's means a time when symptoms may be having more of an effect on your daily life.

It may be when Parkinson's drugs are less effective at managing your symptoms, or their side effects are outweighing their benefits.

It may be useful to plan ahead and understand what to expect with advanced Parkinson's.

Everyone with Parkinson's is different and symptoms will progress at a different rate. It's nothing to do with your age or how long you've had Parkinson's.

Can I die from Parkinson's?

Advanced or complex symptoms of a long-term condition like Parkinson’s can make people more vulnerable to poor health and increased disability.

This does mean people living with Parkinson’s are at a higher risk of dying compared to the general population.

When this happens, it is often the result of complications related to Parkinson’s, rather than the condition itself. So “Parkinson’s” may be recorded as the underlying, rather than direct, cause of death.

Complications related to Parkinson’s which can increase the risk of death include:

• aspiration pneumonia (caused by breathing in food or liquid and not being able to cough it back up)
• falls and fractures
• chest infections and pneumonia
• weight loss.

It's important to manage your condition as well as you can, with the support of specialist health professionals.

It’s also important to remember that everyone’s experience of Parkinson’s is very different.

Our helpline can offer practical and emotional support on all aspects of living with Parkinson’s. You can contact them on 0808 800 0303 or by emailing [email protected].