Doctors will evaluate how far Parkinson’s disease has advanced in their patients using these five stages:
Stage 1
The mildest stage of Parkinson’s disease, there may be symptoms present; however, they are likely not severe enough to interfere with everyday tasks and the patient’s lifestyle too heavily. One distinct symptom of Stage 1 Parkinson’s disease is that tremors will generally only occur on one side of the body. Medications prescribed by a doctor can effectively minimise the symptoms at this stage of the disease.
Stage 2
Stage 2 is considered to be a moderate form of Parkinson’s disease, where the symptoms are more noticeable than those experienced in Stage 1. These symptoms include stiffness, changes in facial expressions, and tremors or trembling, which may be more pronounced than during Stage 1. A person’s balance is generally not affected during Stage 2 of Parkinson’s disease. However, they may find certain tasks take longer to perform.
Stage 3
During this stage of the disease, progression is more noticeable, as a loss of balance begins to occur, as well as impaired reflexes. Because of this, falls are more likely to happen. There is medication available which can help to reduce these symptoms, and working with an occupational therapist can also provide some relief.