Signs of Parkinson's Disease

 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 a nd 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 or having 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.

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