Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

10 Early Signs of Parkinson's Disease

Here are 10 early signs of Parkinson's disease that allow you to recognize the neurodegenerative state at an early stage and get the right treatment. An early diagnosis is very important to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. None of these signs on your own means you have Parkinson's, but if you experience any of the symptoms, we recommend that you consult your GP for a consultation.

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1. Trembling and shaking

Have you noticed a mild tremor in your fingers, thumb, hand or lips? Shaking your legs as you sit down or relax? Trembling or shaking arms or legs at rest, called resting tremors in English, can be an early sign of Parkinson's.

Normal causes: Trembling and shaking can also occur after heavy exercise or injury. It can also be a side effect of a drug you take.

2. Small handwriting

Has your handwriting suddenly become significantly smaller than it used to be? You may have noticed that you write words and letters closer together? A sudden change in how you write may be a sign of Parkinson's.

Normal causes: We all write a little differently as we get older due to poorer vision and stiff joints, but a sudden deterioration is what we are looking for here, not a change over many years.

3. Lack of sense of smell

Have you noticed that your sense of smell is impaired and that you may no longer be able to smell certain food products? Sometimes you can lose the sense of smell for specific dishes such as licorice or banana.

Normal Causes: A flu or cold are normal causes of temporarily losing the sense of smell.

Poor sleep and restlessness

Are you uneasy in your body after falling asleep? You may have noticed that you fall out of bed at night? Your bed partner may have told you that you're sleeping restlessly? Sudden movements in sleep may be a sign of Parkinson's.

Normal causes: We all have bad nights at times, but at Parkinson's this will be a recurring problem.

Also read: - Research report: This is the Best Fibromyalgia Diet

Click on the image or link above to read more about the correct diet adapted to those with fibro.

5. Reduced walking and movement

Do you feel stiff in your arms, legs and in your body in general? Normally, this kind of stiffness will go away with movement, but with Parkinson's, this stiffness can be permanent. Decreased arm swing when walking and a feeling that the feet are "glued to the floor" are common symptoms of Parkinson's.

Normal Causes: If you have suffered an injury, this can, of course, cause you to function poorly in the affected area for a while until it has healed. Arthritis or Osteoarthrtitis can also cause similar symptoms.

6. Constipation or slow stomach

Do you have problems going to the bathroom? Do you really have to 'take in' to get any movement in the intestines? If you are struggling with constipation and impaired bowel function, we recommend that you contact your GP.

Normal causes: Common causes of constipation and slow stomach are low water and fiber. There are also certain medications that cause constipation as a side effect.

7. Soft and low voice

Have people around you said that you speak very low or that you seem hesitant? If there has been a change in your vote, this may be an early sign of Parkinson's.

Normal causes: A virus or pneumonia can cause a temporary change in your voice, but this should return to normal after the virus has been fought.

8. Rigid and expressionless face

Does your face often have a serious, petty or worried expression - even when you are not in a bad mood? Maybe you have also noticed that you often stare into nothingness and rarely blink?

Normal causes: Certain medications can give the same look where you 'stare into nothingness', but this should disappear when you stop taking the medication.

9. Dizziness or fainting

Have you noticed that you often feel dizzy when you get up from a chair or similar? This may be a sign of low blood pressure and is often directly linked to Parkinson's disease.

Normal causes: Everyone has experienced a bit of dizziness when getting up a bit quickly, but if this is a persistent problem then we recommend that you contact your doctor.

10. Forward attitude

Don't have the same attitude you had before? Do you often stand up and crouched? A clear deterioration in posture combined with other signs should be addressed by the GP.

Normal causes: Pain due to an injury, illness or dysfunction can lead to a temporary change in posture - it can also be due to problems with the legs, such as osteoporosis or Osteoarthrtitis.

What can you do if you have Parkinson's disease?

- Collaborate with your GP and study a plan for how you can stay as healthy as possible, this may involve:

Neurological referral for examination of nerve function

Treatment by therapist

Cognitive processing

Training programs

L-Dopa drugs

Also read: - Researchers Believe That These Two Proteins Can Diagnose Fibromyalgia

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