Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in humans after Alzheimer’s disease. Parkinson’s typically progresses slowly and worsens over time, eventually affecting daily activities like walking, speaking, and completing simple tasks. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease can be hard to recognize in its early stages, and many people don’t realize they have the disease until it becomes more serious. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of the disease and seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience these signs.
Here we will discuss some of the warning signs of Parkinson’s disease:
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1. Tremors
Tremors include shaking, trembling, or quivering in parts of the body — commonly the hands and fingers, but they can also occur in the feet, legs, arms, shoulders, or face. This shaking tends to increase with age, but it can also temporarily worsen when an individual is stressed or tired, or when a person tries to do specific tasks, such as writing or drinking from a glass. If you begin to experience tremors, it is important to discuss Parkinson’s disease as a possible diagnosis with your doctor so you can recognize the condition in its early stages. Some medications can help control tremors, but sometimes surgery may be considered if other treatments do not work well enough on their own.
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2. Decreased facial expression
Someone who doesn’t smile or can’t smile one one side may be developing Parkinson’s disease. Some people even develop a mask-like expression, when their facial muscles move less and slower. The scientific word for this is hypomimia, which refers to a decrease in facial expression characterized by decreased animation and movement of the facial muscles. This symptom occurs when the nerves that produce dopamine — which controls muscle activity throughout the body, including facial expressions — are damaged by the disease.
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3. Rigid muscles and stiffness
However, nerve damage and lack of dopamine doesn’t just affect the face. Muscle stiffness can happen anywhere on your body, and may impact your range of motion. Someone who has stiff movements usually has a hard time bending their arms, legs, and neck. This stiffness makes it difficult to do regular daily tasks such as putting on clothes or shaving facial hair, and can result in someone having an abnormal or stooped posture.
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4. Arms don’t swing when walking
When functioning normally, swinging your arms when you walk is a no-brainer. However, arm swing becomes significantly more apparent when someone walks without it. Decreased arm swing while walking is one of the most commonly reported motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s. You may notice this more and more as the disease develops. Moreover, despite the seeming lack of movement, a person with Parkinson’s disease can become tired earlier than normal. However, they may also have trouble falling asleep, leading to insomnia for some.
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5. Slower movement and decreased mobility
Bradykinesia is a term that relates to slow or strenuous movement. It is similar to akinesia, which is characterized by delayed reactions, freezing during movement, or inability to move. A person suffering from bradykinesia may take much longer than usual to perform common actions such as lifting the arms or legs. The condition can worsen as Parkinson’s disease advances, and a person’s ability to move and respond may deteriorate. It is important to note, however, that the problem manifests differently in different people, and not everyone progresses in the same way.
