[harley]

Hoehn and Yahr Staging of Parkinson's Disease
Stage One
Signs and symptoms on one side only
Symptoms mild
Symptoms inconvenient but not disabling
Usually presents with tremor of one limb
Friends have noticed changes in posture, locomotion and facial expression

Stage Two
Symptoms are bilateral
Minimal disability
Posture and gait affected

Stage Three
Significant slowing of body movements
Early impairment of equilibrium on walking or standing
Generalized dysfunction that is moderately severe

Stage Four
Severe symptoms
Can still walk to a limited extent
Rigidity and bradykinesia
No longer able to live alone
Tremor may be less than earlier stages

Stage Five
Cachectic stage
Invalidism complete
Cannot stand or walk
Requires constant nursing care

or--

Parkinson's disease stages include:

Stage 1: During this initial phase of the disease, a patient usually experiences mild symptoms. These symptoms may inconvenience the day-to-day tasks the patient would otherwise complete with ease. Typically these symptoms will include the presence of tremors or experiencing shaking in one of the limbs.

Also during Stage 1, friends and family can usually detect changes in the Parkinson's patient including poor posture, loss of balance, and abnormal facial expressions.

Stage 2: In the second stage of Parkinson's disease, the patients symptoms are bilateral, affecting both limbs and both sides of the body. The patient usually encounters problems walking or maintaining balance, and the inability to complete normal physical tasks becomes more apparent.

Stage 3: Stage 3 symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be rather severe and include the inability to walk straight or to stand. There is a noticeable slowing of physical movements in Stage 3.

Stage 4: This stage of the disease is accompanied by severe symptoms of Parkinsons. Walking may still occur, but it is often limited and rigidity and bradykinesia are often visible. During this stage, most patients are unable to complete day-to-day tasks, and usually cannot live on their own. The tremors or shakiness that take over during the earlier stages however, may lessen or become non-existent for unknown reasons during this time.

Stage 5: The last or final stage of Parkinsons disease usually takes over the patients physical movements. The patient is usually unable to take care of himself or herself and may not be able to stand or walk during this stage. A patient at Stage 5 usually requires constant one-on-one nursing care


i do and i dont. i am actually too tired right now to write what i think, but i did want to post this while i am thinking about it.