Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects the nervous system, making movement difficult. It’s a progressive disease that tends to get worse over time and can start with relatively mild symptoms that are easy to miss. As with most diseases, the sooner a person catches it and begins treatment, the better the outcome.
Let’s take a look at five early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease that you should be aware of:
1. Rigid Muscles and Stiffness
In addition to causing muscles to shake or move uncontrollably, Parkinson’s can also cause muscles to go rigid and become stiff. This can make it hard to move easily, and can even interfere with simple tasks such as picking up objects or walking. Like other Parkinson’s symptoms, this tends to start off very subtly but gets worse as the disease progresses. It should also be noted that this can greatly affect a person’s posture, particularly in the back, hips, and neck.
2. Tremors
One of the earliest and most subtle signs of Parkinson’s are tremors. Tremors are when a part of a person’s body shakes uncontrollably, usually very slightly at first. Though they can be easy to ignore when they first start, tremors can become much stronger and can greatly interfere with a person’s daily life during the later stages of Parkinson’s. While this shaking usually occurs in the hands, it can also occur in other parts of the body as well.
3. Slower Movement and Decreased Mobility
This symptom of Parkinson’s disease can be easy to miss, as many people think it is just a result of getting older. Unfortunately, the truth is that slower movement and decreased mobility is an early warning sign of Parkinson’s that can rapidly worsen. Depending on how bad this gets, a person may need to rely on a walker, wheelchair, or other device to help improve mobility. This is very common in stage five Parkinson’s disease.
4. Arms Don’t Swing When Walking
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, changes in the way a person’s arms swing while walking is very common. In some cases, a person’s arms won’t swing at all. This occurs because Parkinson’s disease affects the signals from the brain that control motor function. This symptom tends to be very noticeable, and can feel extremely awkward to those who suffer from it.
5. Decreased Facial Expressions
Since it affects the nervous system, Parkinson’s disease can cause a person to have less control over their facial expressions. In fact, sometimes a person’s expression will look like they’re angry even when they’re not. This is called facial masking. In a lot of cases, a person won’t know that their face isn’t as expressive as it used to be, and it will be a friend, family member, or co-worker that brings it up to them.
If you notice that you or a loved one suffer from any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor about it as soon as possible. While Parkinson’s disease is incurable, treatment can make life much easier, greatly improving quality of life for those who suffer from the disease.
