PSP
People with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)develop a range of difficulties with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.
The condition tends to develop gradually, which means it can be mistaken for another, more common, condition at first.
The symptoms typicallybecome more severe over several years, although the speed at which they worsen varies.
Some of the main symptoms of PSP are outlined below. Most people with the condition won't experience all of these.
The initial symptoms of PSP can include:
Some people have early symptoms that are very similar to those of Parkinson's disease , such as tremors(involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body) and slow movement.
Over time, the initial symptoms of PSP will become more severe.
Worsening balance and mobility problemsmay mean that walking becomes impossible and awheelchair is needed. Controlling the eye muscles will become more difficult, increasing the risk of falls and making everyday tasks, such as reading and eating, more problematic.
New symptoms can also develop at this stage, such as:
As PSP progresses to an advanced stage, people with the condition normally begin to experience increasing difficulties controlling the muscles of their mouth, throat and tongue.
Speech may become increasingly slow and slurred, making it harder tounderstand.There may also be some problems with thinking, concentration andmemory ( dementia ), although these are generally mild and the person will normally retain an awareness of themselves.
The loss of control of the throat muscles can lead to severe swallowing problems, which may mean a feeding tube is requiredat some point to prevent choking or chest infections caused by fluid or small food particles passing into the lungs.
Many people with PSP also develop problems with their bowels and bladder functions. Constipation and difficulty passing urine are common, as is the need to pass urine several times during the night. Some people may lose control over theirbladder or bowel movements ( incontinence ).
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare and progressive condition that can cause problems with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.
Symptoms of PSP can include sudden loss of balance when walking, muscle stiffness, extreme tiredness and changes in personality.
It can be difficult to diagnose progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), as theres no single test for it, and the condition can have similar symptoms to a number of others.
There's currently no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and no treatment to slow it down, but there are lots of things that can be done to help manage the symptoms.