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Which are the symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

See the worst symptoms of affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy here

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy symptoms

Symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy


Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and cognition. It is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal tau protein in certain areas of the brain. The symptoms of PSP can vary from person to person, but there are several common signs that may indicate the presence of the disease.



1. Motor Symptoms


One of the primary symptoms of PSP is the progressive loss of motor control. Individuals with PSP often experience:



  • Difficulty with balance and coordination: Patients may have trouble walking, frequently stumble, or fall backward.

  • Stiffness and rigidity: Muscles become rigid, particularly in the neck and trunk, leading to a stooped posture.

  • Slowed movements: Movements become slow and difficult, making simple tasks challenging.

  • Impaired eye movements: Eye movements become limited, resulting in difficulty looking up or down, double vision, or blurred vision.

  • Speech difficulties: Speech may become slurred, slow, or hesitant, making communication challenging.



2. Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms


PSP can also affect cognition and behavior, leading to:



  • Executive dysfunction: Difficulties with planning, organizing, problem-solving, and decision-making.

  • Memory problems: Short-term memory loss and difficulty retaining new information.

  • Changes in personality: Patients may become apathetic, irritable, or exhibit mood swings.

  • Depression and anxiety: Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.



3. Speech and Swallowing Difficulties


As PSP progresses, individuals may experience:



  • Dysarthria: Speech becomes increasingly difficult to understand due to slurred or slow articulation.

  • Dysphagia: Swallowing difficulties may arise, leading to choking or aspiration.



4. Eye Problems


Eye-related symptoms are common in PSP and may include:



  • Blurry or double vision: Patients may have trouble focusing their eyes, leading to visual disturbances.

  • Difficulty controlling eye movements: Eye movements become limited, particularly vertical gaze, making it challenging to look up or down.

  • Sensitivity to light: Bright lights may cause discomfort or worsen visual symptoms.



5. Postural Instability


Postural instability is a hallmark symptom of PSP. Patients may experience:



  • Frequent falls: Loss of balance and coordination can result in frequent falls, often backward.

  • Difficulty with gait: Walking becomes increasingly challenging, with a tendency to take small, shuffling steps.



6. Sleep Disturbances


Many individuals with PSP experience sleep disturbances, including:



  • Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness: Feeling excessively tired during the day, leading to frequent napping.

  • REM sleep behavior disorder: Acting out dreams during sleep, which may involve talking, shouting, or sudden movements.



If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. While there is no cure for PSP, early intervention and management of symptoms can help improve quality of life and provide support for both patients and their caregivers.


Diseasemaps
6 answers
Apathy. I lost the man I knew at the very start of PSP. He lost interest in left which included me.

Posted May 9, 2017 by Kathryn 200
Definitely loss of speech, loss of expression. The saddest thing watching my mother disappear was knowing her mind was intact, but she could not longer communicate. Secondary was loss of vision, and then progressively, the inability to do anything for herself, walking, eating, using the toilet. She was the strongest, most independent person I ever knew and this disease bit by bit robbed her of her independence and functioning.

Posted Aug 12, 2017 by Diana Sanders 2000
Vertical gaze palsy
Shuffling gait
Tendency to fall backwards
Slurred speech
Diminished and quiet speech
Swallowing difficulties
Decreasing bladder and bowel control
Slowness of thought
Ability to follow only simple processes

Posted Dec 31, 2018 by Kerryn 720
Personality change,
Falling
Loss of speech
Apathy
Cognitive confusion
Weight gain
Weight loss

Posted Jul 5, 2019 by Loretta 800
Translated from spanish Improve translation
In the beginning, falls and gait problems , atragamientos with the liquid, face stiff , little sense of humor, voice low, dédos of the feet collected, blefaroespamo in the eyes, unintentional closing of the eyelids, loss of coordination, problems of desgluticion, until you end up with asficcias, neumonias and źonda gastric.

Posted Nov 8, 2017 by Maria Veronica Ortiz Solís 2000

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Stories of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

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.This was my journey off PSP with my Husband it may be able to help some of you are new to this to let you know what PSP is all about..... I was my husbands carer,he was diagnosed with PSP in 2009 after 2 years of trying to find out what was wrong wi...
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my dad was sadly diagnosed with psp on Jan 31st 2014, he had been having symptoms for at least 5 years. sadly my dad passed away on 16th October this year.  
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Unfortunately I am on here marking 2 diseases on the map one for my mother who suffers from Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) and another for my 12 (almost 13) year old niece who has Cystic Fibrosis. My family have been through so much we lost dad las...
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My mom was diagnosed with CBD (Corticobasal Degeneration) in the summer of 2009 although some symptoms started showing as early as 2007 and finally died in August 2013. I have created a blog in Greek about the disease to try to inform other Greeks ...

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