Early Signs And Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease: An Overview
Early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease primarily damages dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain. Dopamine is involved in sending messages to the parts of the brain in charge of coordination and movement, and declining levels affect movement. ● ●
Generally attributed to a mix of environmental and genetic factors, the exact cause is still unknown There is no known cure, but early treatment may help control symptoms
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are ➔ often very mild ➔ vary from person to person Early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease into two categories – motor and non-motor.
Motor symptoms
These relate to movement, functionality, coordination, and balance. Generally, two or more of the following motor symptoms occur: ➔ Tremor: The most common symptom, tremors can manifest in one hand, foot, or leg, or even in the jaw, chin, tongue, or mouth. Some patients may even experience internal tremors. ➔ Bradykinesia: It results in a general slowing-down of movement as well as a decreased eye-blink rate and reduced facial expressions. Fine motor skills may also be compromised. ➔ Rigidity: The limbs and/or torso may feel tight, often mistaken for something else, such as Arthritis. ➔ Dystonia: Rapid involuntary movements are a common early symptoms. Parts of the body such as the limbs, neck, or torso may twist into an unnatural stance. ➔ Posture: Patients often develop a leaning or slouching posture during the initial stages. This tends to worsen as the disease progresses. ➔ Problems with gait: During early stages, patients may experience difficulty with the gait such as a drop in the natural swing of the arms when walking, while also developing a shuffling gait or take smaller, slower steps.
Non-motor symptoms
Some of the commonly observed non-motor symptoms are as follows: ➔ Vocal changes: A softening or hoarsening of the voice or a loss in the natural variations of the voice while talking, leading to a monotone. ➔ Reduced sense of smell: About 70-90% of Parkinson’s patients experience loss of smell. ➔ Cognitive changes: Patients may have trouble with concentration, multi-tasking, and decisionmaking. ➔ Sleep problems: Patients may have trouble falling asleep and / or staying asleep while also experience highly vivid dreams or make uncontrollable movements during their sleep. ➔ Constipation: About 25% of patients experience constipation before any motor symptoms show up, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis. ➔ Psychosis: Over half of all patients experience hallucinations, delusions, and/or paranoia. ➔ Depression and Anxiety: Often observed as part of the early signs of Parkinson’s Disease, these occur as a result of lowered dopamine levels. ➔ Weight loss: Experienced due to reduced food intake that happens, due to loss of smell or mood swings, or increased energy requirements due to tremors.
Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
Quite often, similar signs and symptoms could point to other causes that are much less serious, and even curable. As soon as possible, consult a doctor and describe the nature and frequency of your symptoms. Here are a few frequently asked questions by doctors to access the severity of your conditions: ➔ What medical conditions do you have or have had in the past, including details of any medication ➔ Whether your sense of smell has been affected ➔ Whether you have experienced sensations such as your feet appearing ‘frozen’ to the floor ➔ Whether your handwriting has become smaller and more cramped ➔ Whether you have trouble with sleep ➔ Whether you have noticed changes in your temperament and mood
Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
On the basis of a preliminary examination, if the doctor suspects Parkinson’s Disease, they will refer you to a neurologist. 1. The neurologist will test your mobility, balance, coordination, gait, and muscle tone through various exercises. 2. They may also recommend that you see a movement disorder specialist. 3. Finally, they may recommend a dose of dopamine to evaluate your response. If your symptoms improve significantly afterwards, you most likely have Parkinson’s Disease. A mix of Physical and Occupational Therapy can help greatly with movement control and give you a high degree of functionality. Above all, take the support of your loved ones during this time and don’t be afraid to seek help, whether it’s asking a friend to drive you to the doctor’s or talking to a counsellor about your diagnosis.
Thank you.