Scribd
Upload
272 views9 pages

Early Signs of Parkinson

This document outlines 8 early signs of Parkinson's disease, which include changes in handwriting, reduced sense of smell, trouble sleeping, a quieter or expressionless voice, depression, constipation, shaking or tremors while relaxed, and stiffness or slowness of movement. It notes that while these symptoms can be caused by other issues, it is important to see a doctor if someone is experiencing even one of these signs to potentially detect Parkinson's disease early when treatment can help slow its progress. Catching the disease early leads to a better prognosis.

Uploaded by

RatnaPrasadNalam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
272 views9 pages

Early Signs of Parkinson

This document outlines 8 early signs of Parkinson's disease, which include changes in handwriting, reduced sense of smell, trouble sleeping, a quieter or expressionless voice, depression, constipation, shaking or tremors while relaxed, and stiffness or slowness of movement. It notes that while these symptoms can be caused by other issues, it is important to see a doctor if someone is experiencing even one of these signs to potentially detect Parkinson's disease early when treatment can help slow its progress. Catching the disease early leads to a better prognosis.

Uploaded by

RatnaPrasadNalam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

8 Early Signs of Parkinson's Disease

Degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's


represent some of the largest challenges facing medical
researchers today. These diseases not only rob us of control over
our own bodies, but slowly sap our mental capabilities as well.
Like most diseases, however, they are best detected early on,
when we can at least slow down the progress of the disease,
hopefully until better treatments are found. To do this, we must
be aware of the early symptoms and signs that point to
Parkinson's.

Note: Don't panic if you have one or more of these symptoms, as


they can be related to other issues. However, to stay on the safe
side, if you think there is even a small chance you are showing
early signs, please get tested, if only for your own peace of mind.
If you do have it and you catch it early, the prognosis will be much
better for you.

Here are 8 early symptoms of the onset of Parkinson's disease.


 

1. A change in handwriting
If a person's handwriting starts to go from big and free to small
and cramped, this may well be an early sign of Parkinson's. The
telling signs are letters that get smaller and words that seem
crowded together with letters almost written on each other. Many
patients also take longer to write and have trouble with repetitive
tasks.
 

2. A reduced sense of smell


If someone is suddenly having trouble smelling pungent foods or
picking up on scents, they should go see a doctor. Most times it
has to do with sinuses, and it's definitely not one of the most
obvious signs of Parkinson's, but doctors say patients with
Parkinson's claim it is the earliest sign they had of the disease.
While studies haven't proven the link between the symptom and
the disease, a working theory is that certain proteins form clumps
in the brain and may form in the olfactory area, reducing our
sense of smell.
 
 

3. Trouble sleeping
Another symptom that can be easily ignored because it's so
common, is the sudden inability to sleep well, even if you're
usually a sound sleeper. Suddenly you toss and turn, your limbs
move and twitch during sleep, or you may even wake up on the
floor, having fallen from bed. Ask your significant other if you are
making a lot of movements at night, and go see a doctor if it
persists. 
 

4. A quieter, softer voice or an expressionless face


A softer voice and a masked face are common signs of
Parkinson's. Some will not notice they are speaking at a softer
tone, and they definitely won't notice their face losing expression,
so it is up to the people around them to be aware of these signs.
Speaking too rapidly or stammering a lot is also a symptom. 
 
 

5. Depression
Obviously many patients develop depression after learning they
have Parkinson's, but there is a physical link between the
deterioration that comes with Parkinson's and depression. Some
patients get depressed years before the other symptoms of the
disease appear. Lower-than-normal secretions of serotonin and
dopamine, the neurotransmitters invovled with many bodily
functions as well as mood, can cause this effect.
 
 

6. Constipation
If you find that you've seriously reduced the number of times you
move your bowels, sometimes even skipping a day - that's not a
good sign, even if it's not Parkinson's, and so you should check it
out. The disease has an effect on the autonomic nervous system,
which is responsible for unconscious processes such as digestion
and bowel function. Constipation on its own is usually nothing to
worry about, but if it comes with some of the other symptoms on
this list - go get checked immediately.  
 
 
 

7. Shaking / tremors while perfectly relaxed


Shaking is perfectly normal under certain circumstances. We may
be excited or anxious, have just finished a workout or are feeling
restless. But small shakes in our fingers, our hands, our chin, lip
of full limbs while we're at rest could be a strong sign of
Parkinson's, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. This
symptom appears in about 70% of patients and can become more
noticeable during stress or excitement. This symptom usually
arrives AFTER the other symptoms on this list though. However,
many a time it is the first one truly noticed, as the others can all
have other explanations. 
 

8. Stiffness and slowness of movement


Stiffness in the joints that doesn't go away, coupled with muscle
weakness that's here to stay can spell bad news. Suddenly
everyday tasks like buttoning your shirt, walking or fixing things
around the house become bothersome and difficult. You stop
swinging your arms as you walk and your legs and feet feel heavy
and 'stuck to the floor'. If you start hesitating before taking steps,
or people are commenting that you look stiff or sore - please see
a doctor.

-o0o-

You might also like