Parkinson's disease: The signs and symptoms
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Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes the brain to become more and more damaged over a long period of time. But the symptoms can take a long time to develop, and it’s not always noticeable at first.
The condition itself is caused by a loss of nerve cells in a specific part of the brain.
These nerve cells are used by the body to send messages to the nervous system.
But seeing as this damage takes place over a long period of time, symptoms can take a long time to reveal themselves.
There are, however, 10 key warning signs that you should be looking out for.
Tremor
You might have a slight shaking in your fingers, thumb, hands or chin.
Small handwriting
Micrographia is an early symptom of Parkinson’s, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
It’s described as having handwriting that appears significantly smaller than you’re used to.
Loss of smell
Changes to the smell of certain foods or fragrances might be caused by Parkinson’s.
Try smelling bananas, liquorice or vinegar if you’re worried about your sense of smell.
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Difficulty sleeping
Sudden movements during your slumber might be caused by the brain condition.
It’s normal to occasionally toss and turn at night, but Parkinson’s has been linked to prolonged trouble sleeping.
Difficulty moving
You might have very stiff arms or legs, with no obvious explanation.
Constipation
Straining to move your bowels could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease.
Changes to your voice
Some patients develop a softer, or lower-toned voice.
You might even find that your voice sounds hoarse, even though you don’t have a sore throat.
Masked face
Persistently serious-looking facial expressions could be caused by Parkinson’s.
Some people might look angry, or as if they’re in a bad mood.
Dizziness
You could feel very dizzy when you stand up, while some people even pass out.
Hunching
Parkinson’s could cause some patients to stoop over when they’re standing up.
You might be leaning or slouching when trying to stand up straight.
“It can be hard to tell if you or a loved one has Parkinson’s disease,” said the Parkinson’s Foundation.
“No single one of these signs means that you should worry, but if you have more than one sign you should consider making an appointment to talk to your doctor.
There are about 127,000 people in the UK with Parkinson’s disease – the equivalent to about one in 500 people.
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