Secondary parkinsonism
Secondary parkinsonism is a group of movement problems that look like Parkinson's disease but are actually caused by other specific outside triggers.
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Your brain uses a chemical messenger called dopamine to help your body move smoothly. In secondary parkinsonism, something outside of your brain interrupts this flow, causing your muscles to become stiff or move in a shaky way.
The condition affects the basal ganglia, which are deep structures in your brain responsible for controlling your body's motor functions or physical movements. Unlike classic Parkinson's disease which happens on its own, this version is a direct side effect of something else, such as medication, a physical injury, or a toxic substance.
Common Symptoms
- Resting tremors, where your hand or foot shakes while you are sitting still.
- Bradykinesia, which means your movements become very slow.
- Muscle rigidity, or feeling like your limbs are stiff or stuck.
- Trouble with balance or frequent tripping.
- A stiff facial expression that makes it look like you aren't showing emotion.