Warning signs of Parkinson’s

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Warning signs of Parkinson’s

Posted at 21:01h in Parkinson’s by
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Many illnesses start to manifest with specific symptoms. It is important to be able to recognize them in case this is happening to you or to someone close to you. Parkinson’s disease [Link to IDO202] is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system, altering mobility and some cognitive functions. Here are the initial signs and symptoms of this disease:

First signs of Parkinson’s

The initial symptoms of Parkinson’s are mild, and become more noticeable with time.
Typically, the following symptoms are reported in the initial stage:

  • Joint pain
  • Difficulty moving
  • Exhaustion
  • Subtle changes in handwriting
  • Irritability
  • Depression for no apparent reason
  • These initial symptoms can go on for a long time before the more obvious symptoms confirm the onset of Parkinson’s.

Initial symptoms of Parkinson’s

The symptoms that confirm the onset of Parkinson’s manifest themselves physically as well as emotionally.

Tremors

Rhythmic movement that starts with one hand, one foot or the jaw.
Increases when the person is under stress or finds themself in stressful situations.
Tends to disappear during sleep.
May only affect one side or one part of the body.

Stiffness

Resistance or lack of flexibility in muscles.
Muscular imbalance
Muscles tense and contract leaving them weak and inflexible

Bradykinesia

Loss of spontaneous and automatic movement:

  • general motor slowness
  • unpredictable and the most debilitating symptom

Urinary issues and constipation

The deficiencies in the nervous system (which regulate muscle activity) cause incontinence and difficulty urinating.
The progressive slowness of muscles in the intestines and abdomen cause constipation.

Difficulties swallowing and chewing

Improper muscle function causes:

  • Accumulation of saliva and food in the oral cavity.
  • Choking
  • Drooling

Difficulty speaking

  • At least 50 percent of patients with Parkinson’s have speech problems.
  • Speak in a low voice
  • Hesitating before speaking
  • Repeating words
  • Speaking too fast

Loss of expression

Due to lack of proper movement of the facial muscles:

  • The face tends to lose its expressiveness.
  • May have difficulty keeping their mouth closed.

Weight gain or loss

Weight may:
Decrease: due to motor fluctuations, medication, decrease in calories, cognitive deterioration, hiposmia, gastrointestinal issues.
Increase: due to effects caused by surgery for Parkinson’s or treatment with dopaminergic agonists

Sleep disorders

Associated with medication:

  • Nightmares
  • Drowsiness
  • Behavior disorders during the REM phase of sleep

Hiposmia

80% of Parkinson’s patients show:

  • Inability to distinguish odors
  • Reduced sense of smell

Depression

This is an issue that is common in all chronic illnesses:

  • It can even be detected before the onset of the main symptoms
  • It gets worse from the drugs used to combat this disease
  • Antidepressants are usually prescribed

These are only some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Some people may only show one symptom, others may show several, or manifest themselves in different ways. Each case is as singular as the person themself. Get to know some alternative treatments for Parkinson’s here.