Tremor and movement changes
Shaking hands do not automatically mean Parkinson's disease. Tremor may relate to medicines, caffeine or other conditions. Describe whether it happens at rest or during activity, whether one side is affected and how it changes writing, eating or walking.
The neurological examination looks at movement, strength, walking and other signs. Parkinson's disease is assessed clinically; a single blood test or scan cannot establish every case. Bring a medicine list and describe changes over time.
Seizures and episodes of altered awareness
Not all seizures involve shaking, and fainting or other conditions can resemble a seizure. A witness's account of what happened before, during and after an episode is valuable. A safely recorded video may help, but helping the person comes first.
Electroencephalography (EEG) may be considered to examine brain electrical activity alongside the clinical history. A normal routine EEG does not by itself exclude epilepsy. If you already take antiseizure medicine, do not stop or change it without instructions.
Follow-up after a stroke
After hospital treatment, an outpatient visit can review symptoms, medicines and vascular risk factors. Bring your discharge summary, imaging reports and prescriptions. Tell us about new problems with walking, swallowing, mood or thinking.
We discuss ongoing management and whether further assessment or coordination with rehabilitation services is needed. New stroke-like symptoms require emergency care, even if they disappear; a follow-up appointment is not a substitute for acute stroke treatment.
BEFORE YOUR VISIT
A little preparation helps.
- Bring hospital discharge records, imaging reports and current prescriptions.
- Record when movement changes or episodes began and their frequency.
- If appropriate, attend with someone who has witnessed the episodes.
Related clinic guides
Further reading
General information for patients; your assessment and treatment depend on your individual circumstances.