With at least 500,000 people with PD in the US alone, with potentially many more who have yet to be diagnosed correctly, it is definitely worth exploring the early signs. Whether you are concerned about any symptoms you may be experiencing, or you’re looking out for someone else, these are the early signs to look out for.
But first, let’s try to quickly sum up what PD is all about. Dopamine is a chemical that helps our brains to coordinate our movements, and it is created by brain cells. When the brain cells responsible for creating dopamine stop doing their job, or die, it can lead to Parkinson’s disease. Since PD is a progressive disease, the symptoms will gradually worsen over the course of someone’s life.
500,000 US citizens are known to live with PD, but it is estimated that there may be as many as 1 million with the condition. It is estimated that 6 million people worldwide live with PD. That does mean it’s possible to live with Parkinson’s, but bear in mind that each person’s experience of having PD is unique to them, and that the severity of their symptoms will vary from one individual to another. Speaking of, let’s look at those symptoms now.
Tremors
This is at the top because it is the number one symptom everyone thinks of when they think of PD. Tremors in your fingers, thumbs, hands, or your chin is one of the most common signs of PD. They usually begin in the hand and later develop in the arm, or other places on the same side of the body, such as the foot.
Don’t worry if: you find yourself shaking a bit after you’ve done some exercise. The same goes for shaking when you’re under stress, or if you’ve been injured. It can be quite normal to quiver or shake in instances like these. Tremors can also be caused by certain medications.
Slowing Down
Bradykinesia is the term used to describe slowness of movement. It’s a symptom experienced by those with PD where the person finds their movements slowing down. It means someone with PD will take longer to do things.
How about an example? Well, if you have bradykinesia, you might have difficulty coordinating your movements. So your walking might slow down to something more like a shuffle. Relatively mundane things you do everyday might become more difficult, like grocery shopping, or collecting your mail.
Shrinking Handwriting
Have you noticed that your handwriting has shrunk? Was it larger in the past? The sizes of the letters on the page might be getting smaller, or becoming a bit more crowded. This means the way you write on a page has changed, and if it is down to PD, this is called micrographia.
Don’t worry: PD is not the only reason why your handwriting could be changing. As we grow older, it is normal for our hands or fingers to stiffen up, and for our vision to worsen.
Depression
Depression is one of the symptoms of PD. Some people with PD have reported feeling the symptoms of depression long before noticing other symptoms of PD. It is a symptom of what is known as non-motor fluctuations.
Impaired Sense Of Smell
Maybe you’ve noticed that you can’t smell certain things as well as you could before. Foods that have strong scents, like bananas, pickles and licorice. Well, an impaired sense of smell is one of the early symptoms of PD.
Don’t worry if you have a cold, or the flu, or some other infection. It’s normal to not be able to smell things properly when we’re not feeling well. Your sense of smell should return and be back to normal when you’re better.
Anxiety
Worry, fear, tension, unease, and anxiety are all associated with the early stages of PD. It is also totally natural for anyone diagnosed with PD to feel those things out of concern for how they will live their life.
Symptoms of anxiety include dread and worry that can lead to difficulty concentrating, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, breathlessness, and trembling.
Sleeplessness
It could be an early sign of PD if you discover you’ve been acting out your dreams while in deep sleep. Do you wake up to your partner telling you you’ve been thrashing about in your sleep? Sudden jerks in your sleep can be a symptom of PD.
Don’t worry if you have the occasional night where you toss and turn, and have difficulty sleeping. Unexpected movements as you’re falling asleep are also normal.
Excessive Tiredness
This is the kind of tiredness, or fatigue, that doesn’t evaporate with a good night’s sleep. Around fifty percent of people living with Parkinson’s report feeling fatigue, and it can come on all of a sudden and fluctuate from day to day. One day you might feel exhausted, and the next you might feel back to your normal self.
It’s suspected that this type of fatigue is due to chemical changes in the brain. However, it may be a result of other symptoms associated with PD, such as tremors, anxiety, depression.
Difficulty Moving
Stiffness in parts of the body, especially the arms and legs, can be a symptom of PD. What do we mean by this? Well, when you walk do you feel like you’re unable to swing your arms as much as you used to?
It’s normal to feel a little stiffer as we get older when we first get moving from rest, but when the stiffness refuses to go away as we keep moving, it can mean PD. With PD, the stiffness usually begins in the shoulders or hips. This is known as rigidity, and it can make everyday tasks challenging as rigidity makes it difficult for the muscles to stretch and relax.
Don’t worry if you’ve recently injured yourself and things are feeling stiff. Your movement levels may improve once you’re healed. Otherwise, stiffness can be a symptom of some other condition, such as arthritis, not necessarily PD.
Whether it’s due to PD, getting older, or some other issue, the medical professionals working for EJAI Loves Homecare offer expert services that won’t cost the earth.
Bowel Issues
Another early sign of PD can be daily difficulty having a bowel movement. Needing to strain each day to empty your bowels may be a sign of PD that you should discuss with your doctor. An overactive bladder can also be a sign of PD, with symptoms such as suddenly needing the toilet.
Don’t worry if you are having difficulty in the bathroom, it is not necessarily PD. It could be that you are not getting enough water or fiber. Also, if you are on medication, that could have an effect, as some medications can cause constipation and other bowel issues.
Speaking Softly
If you have noticed your voice growing softer, breathy, or even hoarse, your voice could be changing in a way that suggests PD. A cold, or some other virus, can affect your voice. If that’s the case, don’t worry about it.
Facial Masking
If people comment that you look, say, down in the dumps, when you are feeling just fine, it could be down to facial masking. This could be a symptom of PD, and you should consult your doctor about it.
However, there are some medications that may cause this kind of staring look. So it could be down to some medication that you’re taking.
Dizziness / Passing Out
Feeling dizzy, or passing out after getting up from sitting, can be a sign of low blood pressure. This can be an early sign of PD. It’s not unusual to feel dizzy after getting up quickly, but if it occurs frequently, you should ask your doctor about it.
Stooping / Hunching
Perhaps you’re not standing like you used to. Do you find yourself stooping a little or using things to support yourself? Maybe other people have commented that you look a little like you’re hunched over? Well, it could be a sign of PD, or if you have an injury, or are ill, that could be the reason why you’re looking a little lopsided.
Parkinson’s disease is an issue that affects millions of people around the world, but it is possible to live with the condition and be positive. Although PD is currently incurable, famous people like Michael J. Fox, Alan Alda, Linda Ronstadt and Muhammed Ali have gone on to have productive lives after diagnosis. If you are concerned that you might have PD, discuss it with your doctor, and remain positive.
DISCLAIMER: You should always seek medical advice before taking up a new diet. This blog post is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional.
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