Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Symptoms develop slowly, and progression varies from person to person. Here are 10 early signs of PD. While no single sign means you have PD, if you experience more than one, talk to your doctor.
- Tremor: Shaking in your finger, hand, or chin while at rest can be an early sign. Occasional shaking from stress or exercise is normal.
- Small Handwriting: If your handwriting has become smaller and more crowded, it may indicate a symptom called micrographia.
- Constipation: Difficulty moving your bowels daily, without other causes like diet or medications, can be linked to PD.
- Loss of Smell: Trouble smelling foods like bananas, pickles, or licorice could be a sign. A cold or flu can also affect your sense of smell temporarily.
- Trouble Sleeping: Acting out dreams or thrashing in your sleep can signal PD. Tossing and turning occasionally is normal.
- Dizziness or Fainting: Frequent dizziness when standing up may indicate low blood pressure, which can be related to PD.
- Stooping or Hunching Over: If you notice you’re slouching or not standing as straight as before, this could be an early PD symptom.
- Trouble Moving or Walking: Stiffness in your arms, legs, or shoulders that doesn’t ease with movement, or a reduced arm swing when walking, may indicate PD.
- Masked Face: A serious or blank expression, even when you’re feeling fine, is known as facial masking and can be linked to PD.
- Soft or Low Voice: Speaking more softly or sounding hoarse, even if you don’t notice it yourself, could be an early sign.
What Should You Do?
If you think you may have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:
- Talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to a neurologist or Movement Disorder Specialist.
- Consider therapy options, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- Start a regular exercise program to manage symptoms and improve well-being.
- Connect with family and friends for support.
Need Help?
The Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline is available to provide information, emotional support, and resources in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) or email Helpline@Parkinson.org.
Senior Services also offers a Parkinson’s Disease Support Group the 2nd Monday of each month at Trailside in collaboration with MyMichigan Health. The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets at the Senior Services Main Building. We are happy to host this group at our site and welcome people experiencing Parkinson’s disease and their care partners to join us for monthly learning and conversation.
This support group is designed for people with Parkinson’s, their spouses and other support individuals. It is intended to provide education, advice and awareness of community services available in dealing with this chronic disease.
Guest speakers will provide monthly educational presentations at the beginning of the meeting. Separate patient and caregiver breakout group discussions will follow. Drop-in, no registration required.
For reliable information, visit Parkinson.org. You don’t have to face PD alone—help is available.
Source: https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/10-signs
