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Conditions Related to Parkinson’s Disease

“Off” Time

“Off” time is when Parkinson’s symptoms — motor and/or non-motor — return between medication doses. Not everyone experiences “off” time, but it’s more common when living with Parkinson’s or taking levodopa for many years.

Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is uncontrolled, involuntary, often repetitive, movement that can look like fidgeting or wriggling. With Parkinson’s, dyskinesia can happen with long-term levodopa use and longer time with the disease. It can affect any part of your body, but it most commonly occurs in the face, tongue, arms and legs. Many new therapies are working to prevent or treat this complication.

Dystonia

Dystonia is painful muscle contractions that lead to abnormal postures. A symptom of Parkinson’s and a movement disorder, dystonia affects about 500,000 people in the United States and Canada. Researchers are working to better understand and treat this condition.

Dyskinesia and dystonia are two completely different diseases that people often confuse and consider as the same phenomenon. Understanding the difference between dyskinesia and dystonia is critical if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with one of these conditions.

More questions? Learn how to Navigate Parkinsons.