Parkinson’s disease is a long-term condition that affects the brain and mostly impacts how a person moves.
It usually develops slowly, and early signs can be hard to spot. These early symptoms can vary from person to person, but noticing them early can lead to faster diagnosis and better treatment options.
One of the earliest and most common signs is a slight shaking or tremor, often in the hands or fingers. This kind of tremor usually happens when the hand is resting and not in use. It may look like a “pill-rolling” motion, where the thumb and forefinger move in a small circle. This symptom often leads people to visit a doctor.
Another early sign is slower movement, called bradykinesia. This means that everyday actions, like buttoning a shirt or walking, start to feel slower or more difficult. People might also notice that their facial expressions become less lively, blinking less often or showing a blank look. These changes in movement can affect any part of the body.
Muscle stiffness, or rigidity, is also common in the early stages. It can make arms or legs feel tight or hard to move. This stiffness may cause pain or make activities like walking more difficult. Sometimes, it’s only when someone else tries to move your arm or leg that the stiffness becomes more obvious.
Posture and balance might also change. People may start to lean forward when standing or walking. Balance can become less steady, leading to a higher chance of falling. These changes can be small at first but become more noticeable over time.
Another sign is the loss of automatic movements. People may stop blinking as much, smile less, or stop swinging their arms when walking. These unconscious actions are easy to overlook but are often early clues.
Changes in speech and handwriting may also show up early. Someone with Parkinson’s might begin to speak more softly or quickly, or their voice might sound flat or slurred. Their handwriting could become smaller and more cramped—a symptom known as micrographia.
Not all early symptoms are related to movement. Sleep problems, like restless legs or acting out dreams while sleeping (REM sleep behavior disorder), can appear years before other symptoms. Other non-movement symptoms include losing the sense of smell, constipation, and mood changes like depression or anxiety.
Although these signs might seem unrelated, they can be early warnings of Parkinson’s disease. If you or someone you know starts to notice any of these changes, it’s important to talk to a doctor, especially a neurologist. A timely diagnosis can lead to better care, treatments to manage symptoms, and ways to slow the disease’s progress.
Spotting early signs and taking action can improve quality of life and help people prepare for the future. If these symptoms are present, don’t wait—see a doctor for a full evaluation.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies about how to improve walking in people with Parkinson’s disease and Scientists find causes of Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia.
For more about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies These common drugs may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease and Researchers find an important cause of Parkinson’s disease.
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