Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological condition that preferentially affects the elderly, affects about 20 individuals per 100,000 per year. It is one of the most common neurological diseases and the number of people affected is expected to increase even more with the current process of population aging.
It can be difficult to tell if you or a loved one has Parkinson’s disease (PD). Below are 10 signs that you may have the condition. None of these signs mean you should be concerned, but if you have more than one sign, consider making an appointment with your doctor.
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tremor
Have you noticed a slight tremor or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand or chin? A resting tremor is a common early sign of Parkinson’s disease.
What is normal?
Agitation can be normal after a lot of exercise, if you are stressed, or if you have been injured. Agitation can also be caused by a medication you take.
small handwriting
Has your handwriting become much smaller than it was in the past? You may notice that the way you write words on a page has changed, as the font sizes are smaller and the words are grouped together. A change in handwriting could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease called micrographia.
What is normal?
Sometimes writing can change as you get older if you have stiff hands or fingers or poor eyesight.
loss of smell
Have you noticed that certain foods no longer smell very good? If you seem to have more trouble smelling foods like bananas, pickles, or licorice, ask your doctor about Parkinson’s.
What is normal?
Your sense of smell may be altered by a cold, flu, or stuffy nose, but it should come back when you’re better.
trouble sleeping
Do you struggle in bed or act out dreams when you are sound asleep? Sometimes your spouse will notice or want to move to another bed. Sudden movements during sleep can be a sign of Parkinson’s disease.
What is normal?
It’s normal for everyone to have a night where they’re ‘tossing and turning’ instead of sleeping. Likewise, rapid body movements at sleep onset or lighter sleep are common and usually normal.
Problems moving or walking
Do you feel stiff in your body, arms or legs? Have other people noticed that your arms don’t swing like they used to when you walk? Sometimes the stiffness disappears as you move. If it doesn’t, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. An early sign can be stiffness or pain in the shoulder or hips. People sometimes say that their feet feel “glued to the ground”.
What is normal?
If you’ve injured your arm or shoulder, you may not be able to use it either until it’s healed, or another illness like arthritis can cause the same symptom.
Constipation
Do you have trouble having a bowel movement without straining every day? straining to have a bowel movement can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease and you should talk to your doctor.
What is normal?
If you don’t have enough water or fiber in your diet, it can cause toilet problems. Also, some medications, especially those used for pain, can cause constipation. If there is no other reason, such as diet or medication, that could cause problems with having a bowel movement, you should speak to your doctor.
A soft or low voice
Have other people ever told you that your voice is too soft or that you sound hoarse? If there is a change in your voice, you should see your doctor to find out if it could be Parkinson’s disease. Sometimes you may think that other people are losing their hearing, when in fact you are speaking more quietly.
What is normal?
A chest cold or another virus can make your voice sound different, but you should return to sounding the same once you get over your cough or cold.
masked face
Have you ever been told that you have a serious, depressed, or crazy look on your face, even when you’re not in a bad mood? This is often called face masking. In that case, you should ask your doctor about Parkinson’s disease.
What is normal?
Some medications can cause you to have the same kind of serious or staring look, but you would go back to the way you were after stopping the medication.
dizziness or fainting
Do you notice that you often feel dizzy when you get up from a chair? Feeling dizzy or passing out can be a sign of low blood pressure and may be associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
What is normal?
Everyone has had a time when they got up and felt dizzy, but if this happens regularly, you should see your doctor.
crouching or crouching
Aren’t you standing as straight as you used to? If you or your family or friends notice that you appear to be hunched over, stooped or hunched over when you’re standing, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
What is normal?
If you have pain from an injury or if you are sick, it can cause you to be crooked. Also, a problem with your bones can make you bend over.
What can you do if you have PD?
- Work with your doctor to create a plan to stay healthy. This may include the following:
- A referral to a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in the brain
- Care from an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech therapist
- Meeting with a medical social worker to talk about how Parkinson’s will affect your life
- Start a regular exercise program to delay other symptoms.
- Talk to family and friends who can provide you with the support you need.
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