What is parkinsonism?

11 December 2025

It is a nervous system disorder that causes slow movements, tremors, and rigidity, especially in the upper and lower extremities. It is mainly caused by the intake of certain drugs, exposure to toxic substances, brain injuries, or the presence of specific diseases.

The causes of Parkinsonism are different from Parkinson’s disease, although the symptoms are similar. Causes include:

  • High doses of narcotics.
  • Stroke (Cerebrovascular accident).
  • Ataxias (lack of voluntary coordination).
  • Multiple system atrophy.
  • Brain damage from anesthetic drugs.
  • Encephalitis.
  • Wilson’s disease.
  • Lewy body disease.
  • Drugs used to treat mental conditions or nausea.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Poisoning with mercury and other chemicals.
  • Brain injuries or tumors.
  • Meningitis.
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy.
  • HIV/AIDS.

Signs and symptoms Parkinsonism

  • Confusion.
  • Limited facial expression (mask-like face).
  • Slow gait and shuffling of the feet.
  • Slow movements (bradykinesia).
  • Paralysis.
  • Loss of movement.
  • Memory loss.
  • Problems controlling or initiating movement.
  • Postural problems.
  • Rigidity of the arms, legs, and trunk.
  • Tremors or shaking.
  • Soft voice (hypophonia).
  • Slow speech.

Parkinsonism can lead to weakness, injuries from falls, swallowing problems, difficulty performing daily activities, malnutrition, and disability of varying degrees.

Diagnosis and treatment Parkinsonism

The specialist doctor will analyze your symptoms and clinical history, then perform a physical examination and a series of studies to help rule out other diseases and confirm the diagnosis, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT scan).

The treatment will depend on the symptoms and the cause of the Parkinsonism, but it usually includes medications to help treat symptoms and control movements, as well as physical and occupational therapy.

At the Neurological Center, a group of highly trained and certified doctors in various neurological specialties are prepared to treat you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Related centers and departments Parkinsonism

Neurology Center
Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • neurología.com
  • conoceelparkinson.orgcun.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • neurologiaclinica.es
  • nih.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Castro FM, Gamboa MS, Guevara SMF. Generalidades sobre los parkinsonismos atípicos. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2023;8(02):.
  • Luján-Martínez D, Sánchez-Cifuentes Á, Peña-Ros E, et al. Parkinsonismo como síntoma principal de hiperparatiroidismo: recuperación tras cirugía. Cir Cir. 2018;86(1):105-107.
  • Sánchez-Jordán A, Medina-Rioja R, Boll-Woehrlen MC. Diagnóstico Clínico de los Parkinsonismos Atípicos. Rev Mex Neuroci. 2017;18(2):88-99.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.