Parkinsonism and Parkinson disease

On this page

• About parkinsonism and Parkinson disease
• Causes of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease
• Symptoms of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease
• Treating and managing parkinsonism and Parkinson disease
• For health professionals

About parkinsonism and Parkinson disease

Parkinsonism is an umbrella term for a group of neurological conditions with symptoms related to movement. The most common of these conditions is Parkinson disease.

Over 100,000 people in Canada aged 40 years and older live with parkinsonism. Of them, nearly 60% are males. However, evidence suggests that females experience different symptoms. Females also face more barriers to diagnosis than males, which could contribute to underdiagnosis in females.

Explore the most current data on Parkinsonism in Canada

Causes of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease

The causes of Parkinsonism are complex and largely unknown. Health professionals diagnose the condition based on the symptoms you present.

Current research shows that Parkinson disease is the result of a combination of factors, including:

• lifestyle
• genetics
• environment

Other forms of parkinsonism may be caused by:

• toxins
• brain injuries
• genetic factors
• certain medications
• other neurological conditions

Symptoms of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease

Each person’s experience with parkinsonism is unique. Symptoms include those related to movement and those not related to movement.

Symptoms, their progression and their impact on daily life can vary from person to person. You may not experience all symptoms.

Symptoms related to movement can include:

• tremors
• muscle stiffness
• slowed movements
• difficulties with balance and posture

Symptoms not related to movement can include:

• pain
• psychosis
• constipation
• sleep disorders
• loss of sense of smell
• depression and anxiety
• memory loss and dementia
• urinary and sexual dysfunction

Research shows that females and males may experience Parkinson disease differently. Females are more likely to report:

• pain
• anxiety
• tremors
• depression

Males are more likely to report:

• muscle stiffness
• difficulties with balance and posture
• cognitive changes such as psychosis

If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of parkinsonism, talk to a health care provider as soon as possible. Recognizing the symptoms early can help you receive:

• timely care
• practical support
• strategies to help you live well and stay active

Treating and managing parkinsonism and Parkinson disease

There is no cure for parkinsonism. However, there are a range of treatments that can help manage its symptoms and improve your quality of life. These may include:

• exercise
• medications
• deep brain stimulation
• physical, occupational or speech therapy

Learn more:

• Parkinson Canada

For health professionals

Clinical guideline for Parkinson disease

The Canadian guideline for Parkinson disease provides recommendations to support health professionals in the:

• diagnosis
• treatment
• management of people living with parkinsonism and Parkinson disease

The guideline offers practical clinical advice to help improve the quality of care and health outcomes for individuals living with parkinsonism and Parkinson disease.

Access the Canadian guideline for Parkinson disease

Data on Parkinsonism

The Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System began monitoring parkinsonism in 2014, following the National Population Study of Neurological Conditions (2009 to 2013). The system uses data from provinces and territories to estimate the number of new and existing cases of parkinsonism.

The study’s final report, Mapping Connections: An Understanding of Neurological Conditions in Canada, presented key findings on:

• new and existing cases
• the impact of these conditions
• related use of health services

It also looked at potential risk factors, and developed microsimulation models to project health outcomes and costs of 7 conditions, including parkinsonism.

Learn more:

• Data blog: Parkinsonism in Canada, including Parkinson Disease
• Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System
• Mapping Connections: An Understanding of Neurological Conditions in Canada
• National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions

Research

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research supports research that:

• improves understandings of parkinsonism
• explores and advances new treatments
• enhances the quality of life for people in Canada affected by parkinsonism

The institutes’ Health Research in Action series highlights how funded research advances science and improves the lives of people living in Canada, including through recent breakthroughs in Parkinson’s research.

Learn more:

• Health Research in Action
• CIHR Funding Leads to Breakthroughs in Parkinson’s Research
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Funding Decisions Database for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson disease in females and males

Research shows that females and males may experience Parkinson disease differently as noted in the symptoms of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease section.

Learn more:

• Symptoms of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease
• Parkinson's Disease in Women and Men: What's the Difference?
• Unmet Needs of Women Living with Parkinson's Disease: Gaps and Controversies
• Insights from a cross-sectional population-based study of 10,929 Australians living with Parkinson's disease: risk factors, comorbidities, and sex differences