MANAGING PARKINSON'S DISEASE AT EVERY STAGE
The Stages of Parkinson's Disease
Charting the disease's progress
Doctors often describe Parkinson's disease in terms of stages. These stages describe the major symptoms and degree of disability a person has due to the progress of the disease. It is important to have a sense of what stage of disease your loved one is in so you will know what kind of symptoms to expect and what other support may be needed. (See table below.)
| Stage | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| I | |
| II | |
| III |
|
| IV |
|
| V |
|
 | |
Early stages of Parkinson's disease: I to III
Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease develop slowly and may include feeling tired or "shaky." Although the rate of disease progression varies from person to person, people usually progress from Stages I to II in about 18 months, and from Stages II to III in roughly 25 months.16
Sometimes getting in and out of a chair may become difficult or walking appears stiff and unnatural. You may begin to see your loved one shuffling; handwriting may become cramped and the script may be small. The patient's face may begin to lose expression and animation, and the patient may occasionally remain in one position for an extended period of time.17
Advanced stages of Parkinson's disease: IV and V
As Parkinson's disease progresses and the patient loses more muscle control, he or she may have difficulty swallowing. You may notice speech problems such as talking very softly or in a monotone, slurring of words, hesitation, or speaking too quickly. Some people may develop urinary problems or constipation. Their skin and scalp may become oily because of a malfunctioning autonomic nervous system.9 Problems sleeping, drowsiness during the day, and nightmares may also occur.
Symptoms may become more pronounced and difficult to manage. (These symptoms tend to develop much later in the disease.) They may include problems maintaining balance, periods of confusion, hallucinations, and in some cases, dementia. In general, people progress from Stages III to IV in about 42 months, and from Stages IV to V in about 17 months.16
