Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that affects movement, occurring in approximately 13 per 100,000 people. In the United States, there are about 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s identified each year. Symptoms generally start out gradually and then progressively get worse over time. Although Parkinson’s disease has no cure, there are medications and treatments available to take that can significantly reduce your symptoms.
If you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and are experiencing tremors or other symptoms that you suspect could be Parkinson’s, schedule an appointment with Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders as soon as possible. If you already have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, we can also work with your other health care providers to give you highly personalized treatment to optimally reduce symptoms. Some example neurological services TIND provides for patients with Parkinson’s include:
- Comprehensive Movement Disorders Management
- Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s, Tremors and Dystonia
- Gait and Fall Evaluation
Learn more about what we can do to help you manage your Parkinson’s!
The Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Most people know that Parkinson’s disease involves symptoms like tremors and increasingly rigid movements. However, there are many other possible symptoms. One thing about Parkinson’s is that it can manifest in very different ways between each patient. Some people have only one of these symptoms, while others experience the whole gamut. Here are some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:
#1: Tremors
The most characteristic sign of Parkinson’s is, as previously mentioned, tremors. Tremors associated with Parkison’s are particularly called “rest tremors,” as they genely stop occurring once that part of the body is used and active. When tremors are starting to develop in the early stages of Parkinson’s, it can be difficult to even notice them; they can be extremely subtle. As the disease worsens, however, so do the tremors. Tremors tend to develop from the inside of the body and then spread out to other parts of the body over time.
#2: Micrographia
Micrographia is the medical name for cramped handwriting. In particular if micrographia is a condition that is getting worse for you over time, it may be associated with a nervous disorder, such as Parkinson’s.
#3: Hyposmia
Hyposmia, otherwise known as olfactory dysfunction or simply the loss of smell, is a common symptom that affects around 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease. This is one of the most noticeable symptoms for people with Parkinson’s that isn’t associated with motor problems. Hyposmia can be an early sign that someone has Parkinson’s, sometimes occurring years before any movement-related symptoms emerge. Symptoms of hyposmia associated with Parkinson’s may include:
- Difficulty identifying or detecting odors
- Dulled sense of smell
- Difficulty discerning between different odors
If you have hyposmia, it doesn’t automatically mean you have Parkinson’s. Other causes like exposure to damaging chemicals, smoking, or age can also be the cause of hyposmia. It also may occur if you have Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s disease. In either case, it’s important that, if you are experiencing a loss of smell, schedule a neurological examination with a medical specialist as soon as possible.
#4: Difficulty Walking
Another potential early sign of Parkinson’s disease is the development of changes in a person’s walking patterns. For example, someone with Parkinson’s may walk more slowly or drag their feet. They may also walk at an irregular pace and have a wider variance in stride length.
#5: Sleep Problems
Another common symptom of Parkinson’s is difficulties sleeping. There are a wide range of sleep-related symptoms that may occur in people with Parkinson’s:
- Sleep apnea
- Insomnia
- Uncontrolled movements while sleeping
- Nightmares
- Narcolepsy
- And more
#6: Vocal Changes
Yet another early sign that someone may have Parkinson’s disease is changes in the quality or volume of a person’s voice. Vocal changes may entail speaking with softer tones, or, when speaking, one begins with normal tones only for it to fade away as one goes on speaking. There may also be issues with changing the tone of one’s voice, leading to speaking in a monotone voice.
#7: Constipation
One of the most common non-movement related symptoms of Parkinson’s is constipation.
#8: Weight Loss
People with Parkinson’s disease may experience mild to moderate weight loss, for a number of reasons. First, tremors may increase their metabolism, meaning the body burns more energy throughout the day. Other symptoms may also impact this, for example, loss of smell could make one disinterested in eating, which can result in weight loss.
#9: Psychological Issues
Parkinson’s disease is no walk in the park. Due to the array of potentially debilitating symptoms and the secondary symptoms that make life more difficult, it is not uncommon for Parkinson’s disease to lead to psychological symptoms like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Psychosis
- And more
Another reason Parkinson’s may come with psychological challenges is that the disease reduces the amount of dopamine one’s body produces, which can impact mood and behavior.
#10: Facial Masking
People with Parkinson’s may have difficulty making facial expressions, as they involve subtle, complex muscle movements that Parkinson’s makes more challenging. This symptom is called facial masking. It is caused due to Parkinson’s effect of making muscles move more slowly or more rigidly. This symptom may cause one to appear emotionless and blank. This can make communicating with other people more challenging than usual.
Early Signs of Parkinson’s
In the early stages, it may be difficult to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, as the symptoms are subtler and more sporadic at this time. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above for an extended period of time, it may be a good idea to get it checked out by a professional. Reach out to our Parkinson’s disease specialists at Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders in the Dallas-Fort Worth region today.