Is Parkinson's disease fatal?

Answer 1

Parkinson's disease is not fatal, but it reduces longevity. The disease progresses more quickly in older than younger patients, and may lead to severe incapacity within 10 to 20 years. Older patients also experience freezing and greater declines in mental function and daily functioning.

Parkinson's disease can seriously impair the quality of life in any age group. The physical and emotional impact on the family should not be underestimated as the patient becomes increasingly dependent on their support.

Treatment advances are increasingly effective in alleviating symptoms and even slowing progression of the disease. Taking many of the medications over time, however, can produce significant side effects. Newer agents may help reduce these occurrences.

Motor Impairment


The negative effect of overall motor and muscle impairment on daily life can be considerable in Parkinson's patients. Some motor complications can be life threatening.

Disturbed gait and unstable posture are common and serious problems in elderly PD patients, since they increase the risk for falling and injury. Some studies have suggested that the appearance of these symptoms early in the course of the disease predict a faster decline than having tremor as the predominant symptom.


Swallowing problems (dysphagia). The presence of dysphagia is associated with shorter survival time. Motor impairment of the muscles in the throat not only impairs swallowing but it also poses a risk for aspiration pneumonia.


Constipation is a major problem and occurs both as a result of the disease and a side effect of its treatment. Laxatives, stool softeners, and other medications may be prescribed. The drug cisapride (Propulsid) appears to help some people with constipation and a poor response to levodopa [ see Diet, in this report ].


Bladder control and urinary incontinence are also important complications of PD. [ See the Well-Connected Report Incontinence.]


Speech problems occur in more than 70% of Parkinson's patients, by some estimates. Speech difficulty can be caused by rigidity of the facial muscles, loss of motor control, and impaired breath control. Tone can become monotonous, words may be repeated over and over, or the rate of speech may even be very fast.

Impact on Emotions


Depression is extremely common, affecting up to 40% of Parkinson's patients. PD poses a triple threat on the emotional health of its victims:

The disease process itself causes changes in chemicals in the brain that effect mood and well being.


The complications of its symptoms have a profound impact on daily life that can be emotionally devastating without help and support.


All drug treatments used for Parkinson's disease have side effects that can cause neurologic and emotional disturbances.


Treating depression and insomnia in patients who have these complications plus problems in thinking may, in fact, also improve mental functions.

Effects on Thinking and Mental Status


Impaired Thinking (Cognitive Impairment). Defects in thinking, memory, language, and problem solving skills may occur early on in untreated patients or late in the course of the disease. Medications may play a role in thinking problems. In one study, for example, patients with PD were slower in detecting associations, although (unlike in Alzheimer's disease) once they discovered them they were able to apply this knowledge to other concepts. After they were taken off medication, however, they had no problems with the tasks.

Dementia. Dementia is about six times more common in the elderly Parkinson patient than in the average older adult. It is most likely to occur in older patients who have had major depression. Unlike in Alzheimer's, language is not usually affected in Parkinson's related dementia. Visual hallucinations occur in about a third of people on long-term medications that increase dopamine, possibly because of some genetic susceptibility.

Other Problems that Impair Daily Life


A number of other problems associated with Parkinson's disease affect daily life:

Sleep disorders are common in PD, both from the disease itself and from its treatments. In general, patients have a higher risk for disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness, including suddenly falling asleep. Many PD patients also suffer from nighttime let cramps and restless legs syndrome. And, some of the medications cause vivid dreams as well as waking hallucinations.


Sexuality is also reduced. This is an area not often studied but which is important for many patients' well-being. A 2000 study reported that not only did sexual dysfunction occur, but also affectionate touching and expression of feelings were reduced, even though both partners maintained a desire for intimacy.


The sense of smell is impaired in about 70% of patients.


Vision is also affected, including color perception.

Answer 2

Is Parkinson Disease Fatal

Answer 3

Is Parkinsons Fatal

Answer 4

No. Life expectancy is the same but there are more impairments with it as detailed by the previous answer. People usually pass away from complications related to the disease rather than the disease itself. The most common cause of death is aspiration pneumonia due to the swallowing impairment associated with the disease. For this reason it is important to see a speech therapist if any swallowing problems develop.

Answer 5

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Answer 7

no, but it can be debilitating and cause you to not be able to take care of yourself leaving you to get an infection like pneumonia or urinary infection. if these infections go untreated then it can be fatal, but parkinson's itself is not so fatal. there are good medications to help with symptoms as well.

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Answer 8

yes usually in time, but think there's medication for it to alter it. My neighbor had it for over 20 years and lived a reasonable life up in till the last few months

Answer 9

It is the most common cause of parkinsonian syndromes ( these are number of degenerative diseases affecting the basal ganglia of the brain, which present with slowness of movement, increased rigidity, tremor and loss of postural reflexes.

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Answer 10

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