Shared from parkinson.org.
There are many myths and misconceptions about Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its treatment. Below we help distinguish between fact and fiction. Knowing more about Parkinson’s can help optimize your care and quality of life.
MYTH
PD only affects movement. Most people — including some physicians — believe that PD only causes movement-related (motor) symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and slowness.
MYTH: PD only affects movement. Most people — including some physicians — believe that PD only causes movement-related (motor) symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and slowness. (click to reveal reality)
REALITY: Many symptoms of PD are unrelated to movement. Non-movement symptoms (the ones you cannot see) of PD are common and may affect everyday life more than movement difficulties. These may include impaired sense of smell, sleep disorders, cognitive symptoms, constipation, anxiety, depression, bladder symptoms, sweating, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, pain (particularly in a limb), tingling and others.
TIP: Good news: many non-motor symptoms of PD are highly treatable. Write down all your symptoms and discuss them with your doctors to find treatments that work for you.