Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects the brain and mostly causes problems with movement. It gets worse over time, but the early signs can be very small and different for each person. Knowing these early signs is important because it can help people get diagnosed and start treatment sooner. Early care can make a big difference in managing the disease.
One of the first signs of Parkinson’s disease is often a small tremor, or shaking, in one part of the body, usually a hand or finger. This shaking usually happens when the hand is resting and not being used. It might look like the person is rolling something between their thumb and forefinger, which is called a “pill-rolling” tremor.
Research in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry shows that this kind of resting tremor often makes people realize something is wrong and see a doctor.
Another early symptom is slowed movement, known as bradykinesia. People with Parkinson’s may find that their movements become slower over time. They might notice they blink less often or their face shows fewer expressions.
Simple tasks like buttoning a shirt or walking can become harder. This slowing down can affect many daily activities and lead to a general feeling of stiffness.
Muscle stiffness, or rigidity, is also common early on. A person might feel tightness in their arms, legs, or body. When someone else tries to move the person’s arm, it might feel stiff and not swing freely. This stiffness can make it hard to move normally and may also cause pain.
Problems with posture and balance are another early warning sign. People with Parkinson’s may start to stand in a stooped, hunched-over position. They might also have trouble keeping their balance, which can lead to a higher risk of falling as the disease progresses.
Loss of automatic movements is another sign that can appear early. Automatic movements are things we do without thinking, like blinking, smiling, or swinging our arms when we walk. In Parkinson’s disease, these movements often decrease. This can make a person’s face look less expressive and their walking style look stiff.
Changes in speech and handwriting can also happen. A person might start speaking softly, quickly, or slurring their words. They might also pause before speaking. Handwriting often becomes smaller and more cramped, a change known as micrographia. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, these changes are common early signs.
Other early symptoms can include sleep problems. People may experience restless legs or a sleep condition called REM sleep behavior disorder, where they move or talk during dreams. Non-movement-related symptoms like losing the sense of smell, having constipation, or feeling depressed or anxious can also happen years before the main movement problems start.
Recognizing these early signs is very important. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms like these, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor, especially a neurologist who specializes in brain and nerve conditions. Early diagnosis means early treatment, which can help manage the symptoms better and possibly slow down the disease.
By paying attention to these warning signs and seeking medical advice, people can improve their quality of life and take steps to better manage Parkinson’s disease from the beginning.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing Plant-based diets could protect cognitive health from air pollution.
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