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Diagnosis of Parkinson Disease

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. The diagnosis is suspected in people with:

  • Tremors
  • Slowness of movement
  • Stiffness
  • Balance problems

This is often enough to make the diagnosis. There are no tests to diagnose Parkinson disease.

Images may be taken to rule out other causes. This may be done with

REFERENCES:

Homayoun H. Parkinson Disease. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Sep 4;169(5):ITC33-ITC48.

Parkinson disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/parkinson-disease. Updated October 4, 2019. Accessed February 24, 2020.

Parkinson disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/movement-and-cerebellar-disorders/parkinson-disease. Updated December 2018. Accessed February 24, 2020.

Parkinson's disease. American Association of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aans.org/en/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Parkinsons%20Disease.aspx. Accessed February 24, 2020.

Parkinson's disease information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page. Updated August 28, 2019. Accessed February 24, 2020.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD