Therefore, Parkinson's disease is a disorder that can be passed down from generation to generation. Besides for genetics, Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson Disease -like symptoms can be caused by drugs or certain chemicals. Examples of these chemicals include MPTP, Manganese, Carbon Monoxide, cyanide and carbon disulfide. In addition, Parkinsonism can be sparked from having other diseases or injuries. Hypothyroidism, having a low thyroid, and hypoparathyrodism are metabolic diseases that can lead to Parkinsonism. Also, neuralgic diseases such as Fahr Disease, Diffuse Lewy Body Disease, Wilson's Disease, Shy Drager Syndrome, Olivopnotcerebellara Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Striatonigral degeneration, can lead to Parkinsonism. Essentially, Parkinsonism can be caused by any damage that is done to the substantia nigra. Many people are unaware of the fact that Parkinson's Disease can be caused by repeated minor head injuries or a stroke or tumors. .
The symptoms of Parkinsonism range from very unnoticeable symptoms to very extreme symptoms. When a person first contracts Parkinson's Disease, the symptoms tend to appear slowly unless it is cause by an injury or poisoning. The early symptoms of Parkinsonism include the following: abnormal posture, difficulty in walking, feeling tired or sick, not being able to think clearly, change in handwriting (handwriting decreases in size), muscle stiffness and slowness, and a small tremor on certain parts of the body. These symptoms may continue to stay the same for a few years. Some people's symptoms progress faster than others. Some of the later symptoms include: very noticeable stiffness and rigidity, tremors that randomly get better and worse, muscle aching, slowed movements, change in voice, constipation, excessive sweating, and obvious changes in posture. The tremors are the most common effect in this stage. They tend to stop when a person is sleeping and continue when the person wakes up.