It’s Not Just Shaky Hands: The Whole-Body Reality of Parkinson’s Disease

It’s Not Just Shaky Hands: The Whole-Body Reality of Parkinson’s Disease
By Richie Pikunis

You know what I wish more people understood about Parkinson’s?

It’s not just a tremor. It’s not just a shuffle. It’s not just an old guy on a bench in the park with a pillbox in one hand and a cane in the other. That’s the Hollywood version. The truth? Parkinson’s Disease is a full-body hostile takeover—and no body system gets left behind.

Let’s break it down, system by system. Not because I want a pity party. But because education is power. Because some poor soul is Googling their first symptoms right now and wondering if they’re losing their mind. And because, frankly, I’m tired of being asked if I just “shake a little.”

Nervous System: The Master Manipulator

Let’s start with the obvious. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder. That means it messes with your brain’s ability to produce dopamine—a chemical so critical it basically runs the show. No dopamine, no smooth movement, no emotional stability, no normal sleep, no functional digestive system. It’s like removing the oil from your engine and wondering why the whole car seizes up.

And yes, it screws with your mind too. Not just anxiety and depression (check, check), but also apathy, executive dysfunction, impulse control, hallucinations, even dementia in later stages. It's like your brain becomes a haunted house you’re still renting.

Musculoskeletal System: Stiff, Slow, and Off-Balance

Muscle rigidity. Joint pain. Spinal stoop. Frozen shoulders. Cramping toes. Dystonia that feels like your foot is trying to tap out Morse code. And let’s not forget that elegant little symptom called postural instability—otherwise known as, “Why did I just fall over while standing still?”

Bones get brittle. Movement slows. Strength drains. Everything feels heavier—because it is.

Respiratory System: The Quiet Struggle to Breathe

Most people don’t realize this, but Parkinson’s messes with your breathing. You might not notice it early on, but over time your chest wall stiffens, your muscles weaken, and your coordination gets sloppy. It becomes harder to cough, clear your throat, or take a deep breath. Hello, increased risk of pneumonia.

Your voice may get quieter too—because even the muscles that help you talk start whispering their resignation letters.

Cardiovascular System: Dizzy, Lightheaded, and Low on Fuel

Orthostatic hypotension. Sounds fancy, right? It’s not. It means your blood pressure tanks when you stand up. You feel dizzy, woozy, like your body’s a leaky balloon. Heart rate variability goes haywire too. And don't even get me started on fatigue. It’s not just tired—it’s bone-deep, soul-sucking exhaustion that makes brushing your teeth feel like running a marathon.

Digestive System: From Constipated to “What Day Did I Poop Last?”

I could write a novel about the bowels alone. (Working title: “The Constipation Chronicles.”) Parkinson’s slows your gut motility, so everything backs up. Nausea, bloating, gastroparesis, difficulty swallowing—it’s all part of the package. And it’s not just inconvenient—it can interfere with meds, nutrition, and your entire quality of life.

Skin and Sweat: Greasy, Itchy, and Confused

Ever feel like your body forgot how to regulate temperature? Welcome to the club. Excessive sweating (or none at all), oily skin, or seborrheic dermatitis (aka flaky, greasy patches on your face and scalp) are par for the course. It’s like your sweat glands are stuck in traffic and can’t decide whether to slam on the brakes or floor it.

Teeth and Mouth: Dry, Drooly, and Dental Disasters

Dry mouth meets drooling. How’s that for irony? Saliva production gets thrown way off. You can get cavities, gum disease, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. And let’s not forget bruxism—grinding your teeth into oblivion while you sleep. Or dysphagia, which turns eating into a high-stakes choking hazard.

Eyes and Vision: The Shaky Window to the Soul

Parkinson’s can mess with your blink rate (hello dry eyes), make your vision blurry, or impact how your eyes move—causing double vision or difficulty reading. It even screws with light sensitivity. There’s nothing quite like blinking into a grocery store’s fluorescent lighting and feeling like you’ve entered a hostile alien spaceship.

Smell: Gone with the Wind

Loss of smell is often one of the first signs of Parkinson’s. It’s subtle—until it’s not. And it’s permanent. Food tastes dull. Scents vanish. That part of life where you stop and smell the roses? Gone. It’s like losing a sense of nostalgia and memory wrapped into one.

Wrap It Up, Richie

So yeah, it’s not just a “movement disorder.” Parkinson’s is a full-body rebellion. And just because someone looks okay on the outside doesn’t mean their systems aren’t firing off SOS signals behind the scenes.

I share this not to scare you—but to remind you: you’re not crazy. You’re not weak. And you’re not alone. Parkinson’s is complicated, unpredictable, and often invisible.

But so are we.

Still standing. Still swinging. Still laughing—because sometimes, it’s the only thing that keeps the damn gears turning.

Richie