Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism: What Is the Difference and How to Manage Them?

When tremors, body stiffness, and walking difficulties occur, many people worry whether it might be Parkinson's disease. However, not all such symptoms mean Parkinson's disease. There is also a condition called "parkinsonism" which shows very similar symptoms but differs in cause and progression. In this column, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic clarifies the differences and explains how to wisely respond to your body's signals.

💡 [Key Answer] Top 3 causes of Parkinson's and parkinsonism differences: ① Cause of Disease: Parkinson's is caused by damage to dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. Parkinsonism encompasses a broader range of conditions with similar symptoms. ② Treatment Response: Parkinson's tends to respond well to dopamine medication, whereas parkinsonism may have limited or no response. ③ Progression & Symptoms: Parkinson's progresses gradually with autonomic symptoms alongside motor symptoms. Dalimchae focuses on autonomic stabilization to calm abnormal brain excitement and restore bodily balance.

Parkinsonism is a clinical syndrome encompassing motor symptoms like bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Parkinson's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing parkinsonism.

Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic focuses on stabilizing the autonomic nervous system to help the brain rest and recover. Clinical studies show herbal and complex treatments improve quality of life and motor function in patients.

• Tremors in hands, feet, or jaw at rest
• Slowed movement and muscle rigidity
• Smaller handwriting or shuffling gait
• Difficulty balancing or frequent falls
• Masked facial expression or soft voice
• Sleep disturbances or acting out dreams
• Severe constipation and digestive issues
• Frequent dizziness or lethargy

Medical Supervision | Dr. Yang Yuchan, Incheon Branch (Brain & Autonomic Nerves)