14 Signs That May Be Parkinson’s Disease

4. Impaired Balance and Coordination

One of the principal motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is postural instability, which generally appears in the late stages of the disease. Because PD impairs the reflexes that are important for maintaining an upright position, postural instability manifests as a propensity to be unsteady when standing. If a person with postural instability is merely jostled, they might quickly fall backward. Because of the increased risk of falling, this is one of the most debilitating symptoms. Although not all individuals with PD have balance problems, postural instability is one of the four basic motor symptoms.