Other Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease can be hard to diagnose
because many conditions cause features of parkinsonism (tremor, muscle
stiffness, slow movement, and unsteadiness). Certain medicines (such as
antipsychotic medications and some medicines used to treat high blood
pressure) can also cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease.
Conditions that may cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease
include:
- Essential tremor, which causes no
symptoms other than tremor. Essential tremor often runs in families and can
begin before age 25.
- Parkinson's-plus syndromes such as
progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system
atrophy.
- Alzheimer's disease. Confusion and memory loss similar to that seen in the early
stages of Alzheimer's do not occur in people with Parkinson's until the late
stages of the disease.
- Brain injury.
- Thyroid
disorders.
- Liver disease.
- Brain infection (such as
encephalitis).
- Brain tumor.
- Stroke.
- Carbon monoxide
poisoning.
- Heavy metal (such as manganese)
poisoning.
- Psychiatric disorders.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | G. Frederick Wooten, MD - Neurology |
| Last Revised | December 14, 2010 |