PARKINSON’S disease has a number of signs. The most well-known symptom of Parkinson’s disease is perhaps a tremor, which is indeed one of the most common signs.
However, there are a number of early warning indicators that may be more difficult to spot, as they are also caused by a number of factors. Though there is as yet no known cure, diagnosing Parkinson’s early is important because some treatments are more effective at reducing symptoms when administered early on in the disease.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time.
It develops when cells in the brain, which produce a chemical called dopamine, stop working properly.
Parkinson’s UK charity says around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK, and “it’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world”.
Symptoms often start to appear when the brain does make enough dopamine to control movement properly and can occur in a number of different ways.
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) says Parkinson’s symptoms can broadly be divided into two categories – motor and non-motor. Motor symptoms include a tremor and balance problems.
It says: “It turns out that non-motor symptoms often precede motor symptoms, sometimes by decades! Typically, there are certain non-motor symptoms that are the most likely to appear early.
”These include constipation, loss of smell, sleep disorders, and depression.
The organisation notes that these signs can be difficult to spot and differentiate from other conditions, though it is “incredibly common” for people with Parkinson’s to look back and be able to identify a non-motor symptom that was present first.
Parkinson’s UK charity notes that having certain signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s doesn’t always mean that you or they have the condition.
It says: “It’s always best to talk to your GP first and they can refer you to a specialist if your symptoms need further investigation.”
It says early signs include tremors, muscle stiffness, and slowness of movement “but there are also other signs to be aware of”.
Some of these include small handwriting, anxiety, and fatigue.
express.co.uk
