Diagnosis

Parkinson's disease should always be diagnosed by a doctor who specialises in treating it, and you shouldn't start treatment before the diagnosis is confirmed5. This is because Parkinson's disease can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other similar conditions.

For example, some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can also occur as a result of strokes, dystonia (tremor), other degenerative nerve conditions, overactive thyroid, Alzheimer's disease, and as side effects of medicines2.

There is no specific test for Parkinson's disease. The diagnosis is based on:

• Movement symptoms
• Non-movement symptoms
• Physical examination
• Tests to discount other possible diagnoses

Parkinson's disease is diagnosed in people with bradykinesia (slow movement) and at least one of the following2:

• Muscular rigidity
• Rest tremor (4–6 Hz)
• Postural instability unrelated to primary visual, cerebellar, vestibular or proprioceptive dysfunction.