Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that affects a person’s ability to control bodily movements. Usually, the disease starts slowly and then worsens over time. As a result, people with Parkinson’s Disease might shake, have muscle stiffness, have trouble walking, lack balance, and have poor coordination.
In addition, you may develop symptoms such as difficulty speaking, sleep problems, memory problems, and depression as the condition progresses.
Who can get Parkinson’s Disease?
Both men and women can get Parkinson’s Disease, but approximately 50% more men get it than women. In regards to Parkinson’s Disease, age is the most common risk factor. Most people with Parkinson’s Disease are over the age of 60, but some people get “early-onset” around 50.
Nerve cells that become impaired and/or die in the part of the brain that controls movement cause Parkinson’s disease. Typically, these nerve cells produce an essential brain chemical called dopamine. When the nerve cells die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine, which causes the movement problems of Parkinson’s.
It can be challenging to tell if you or a loved one has Parkinson’s Disease. But, here are some early signs that you or someone you love might have the disease.
Tremors
Tremors are considered a key sign of Parkinson’s Disease and involve a persisted shaking or twitching of your hands, legs, or head/chin. When tremors first start to appear, they can be very subtle and sometimes may not even be noticeable to anyone but the person experiencing them.
As the disease progresses, the tremors will gradually worsen, making some everyday tasks more difficult. Usually, tremors typically start on one side of the body and progressively spread to other parts.
Bradykinesia
Bradykinesia describes slowness or absence of movement and causes various symptoms such as stiffness of the limbs and slower movements. For example, a person with bradykinesia might walk slower or have difficulty starting movements.
Difficulty Walking
Changes in a person’s walking pattern could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Someone showing signs of early Parkinson’s disease may walk at an irregular pace, suddenly walking faster or slower, changing the length of their stride, or potentially dragging their feet on the ground as they walk – this is often referred to as a “shuffling gait.”
Lack of Balance/Poor Balance
Parkinson’s disease explicitly targets specific nerve cells in your brain responsible for balance control and flexibility (Basal Ganglia). Because Parkinson’s causes nerve cells in your brain to die or become impaired, they may affect these nerve cells responsible for balance, causing you to lose balance.
For your doctor to test if your nerve cells have been affected, they will perform something called a “pull test.” This test will involve your doctor slowly pulling on your shoulders until you lose your balance and then recording how long it takes them to regain their balance back. A person without Parkinson’s should recover after one or two steps, while people with Parkinson’s may take more steps to recover.
Small Handwriting
Some people with Parkinson’s can develop abnormally small or cramped handwriting. It is called Micrographia, and it is a secondary motor symptom experienced by some people with Parkinson’s and is often an early symptom of the disease. Not every person with Parkinson’s disease experiences the same symptoms, but according to www.parkinsonsdisease.net, one study found that approximately half the people with Parkinson’s experiences Micrographia.
Sleep Problems
People who have Parkinson’s may experience several sleep-related problems, including:
- Insomnia
- Daytime fatigue
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep apnea
- Sporadic movements while sleeping
Facial Masking
People with Parkinson’s may have a reduced ability to make complex facial expressions, called “facial masking.” The facial muscles move more slowly than average, causing people with Parkinson’s to appear emotionless or blank-faced. However, they may be feeling emotions as normal, and this may cause difficulties communicating with others.
Loss of Smell
Loss of smell is one of the more common symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. Possibly even the most noticeable symptoms that are not related to movement. Loss of smell can become apparent several years before Parkinson’s affects a person’s movement. In addition, loss of smell does not always mean that someone has Parkinson’s disease. A sense of smell can change for many reasons, such as age, smoking, exposure to harsh chemicals, and more recently, COVID-19.
Weight Loss
There are many reasons why someone with Parkinson’s disease may lose weight. Motor-related symptoms associated with Parkinson’s increase the natural energy requirements, resulting in a decreased hunger. Other non-motor symptoms such as a loss of smell, depression, or constipation may cause people with Parkinson’s to eat less, resulting in weight loss.
Stooped or Hunched Posture
As a result of muscle rigidity, which is one of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, people who have the disease may see changes in their posture. People naturally stand so that their weight is evenly distributed over their feet. However, people with Parkinson’s disease may start bending forward, making them appear hunched or stooped over.
Bowel problems/Constipation
One of the most common symptoms associated with Parkinson’s is constipation, which does not do with movement/motor skills.
Psychological Symptoms
As previously mentioned, Parkinson’s lowers the body’s dopamine levels, causing movement problems, can also cause changes in mood and behavior. Some of these psychological symptoms that can be associated with Parkinson’s include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Confusion
- Difficulty making plans/staying organized
Parkinson’s disease is a complex disease to diagnose, especially in its early stages. This is because the symptoms are subtle and sporadic. Knowing what signs to watch for, on the other hand, may motivate people to seek medical help before things worsen.
