Speech Difficulties in Parkinson's

Did you know that a person with Parkinson's Disease can think of a phrase to say but has difficulties getting the words out? I had a patient who would be very talkative but she didn't make any sense when she spoke. Most people would smile at her but would turn away from her because she didn't make any sense. She would also say that she felt odd and felt as if she is shaking inside herself and that she sometimes looses her balance. When I did a physical I noted that she had a slight rigid left arm what we call "cogwheel rigidity". I knew right away that this very talkative person was just another sign that this patient had Parkinson's Disease probably for quite sometime but since she would talk alot of nonsense nobody would consider it a specific sign of Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's has alot of different symptoms and communication hindrance is another symptom of a long list. I hope you enjoyed today's blog and don't forget to donate to help sustain our cause. God Bless!!