Parkinson's disease is a disease that causes disorder on body movement. This disease affects the nervous system and will continue to worsen over time. Parkinson's disease usually attacks the elderly (60 years and above). In the early stages, people with this disease will usually experience tremors or feel stiffness in some parts of their body. However, most patients do not realise that this is the initial signs of Parkinson's disease. As quoted from Medical News Today, here are 13 early signs of Parkinson's disease that you need to know:
- This uncontrollable tremor or movement usually occurs when the part of the brain that regulates the movement of the body is experiencing interference. In addition to being one of the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease, a tremor can also occur if someone experiences anxiety, consumes too much caffeine and alcohol or if he/she is hypoglycemic.
- Changes in the way someone walks can also be an early symptom of Parkinson's. People with Parkinson's will usually walk slowly and 'drag' their feet while walking.
- Changes in handwriting or commonly called micrographia are also related to early symptoms of Parkinson's.
- The loss of the sense of smell.
- Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy
- Loss of body balance is one of the early symptoms of Parkinson's. The disease targets damage to ganglia nerve cells that play a role in one's balance.
- Bradykinesia or slowing body movement which will create difficulty in carrying out daily activities, such as steps that are getting shorter and harder to get up from sitting.
- Muscle stiffness, which can decrease a person's ability to make facial expressions.
- Changes in voice, people with Parkinson's usually have a softer voice than usual.
- Hunchbank posture.
- Constipation.
- Psychological changes such as depression, anxiety, dementia can be psychological symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's causes dopamine production to decrease so that people with Parkinson’s will experience changes in mood and behaviour.
- Weight loss
Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay
Source(s):
- Medical News Today - 13 early signs of Parkinson’s disease (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324087.php, January 08, 2018.