Top Five Early Warning Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition related to the loss of dopamine-producing cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. A natural chemical, dopamine acts as a liaison or communication tool between the brain cells that control body movement. According to many Parkinson’s disease experts, about 80 percent of dopamine-producing cells have already been affected by the time a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is made. That is why it is so important to be aware of the early warning signs of reduced dopamine levels, and possibly therefore, of Parkinson’s disease. Here are the top five early warning signs of Parkinson’s Disease:

Tremors or Trembling: for nearly three quarters of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the appearance of tremors or trembling is the first noticeable symptom. In most cases, only one side of the body will be affected in the early stages of the disease, and the hands and feet are the most likely area where tremors will first be noticed. Parkinson’s tremors often rest when there is voluntary movement, differentiating them from other kinds of tremors.

Akinesia and bradykinesia: From a clinical perspective, Akinesia and bradykinesia are defined as scarcity (akinesia) and slowness (bradykinesia) of movement. These characteristics may manifest themselves in the face, for example, as reduced facial expression, infrequent blinking, and slow swallowing resulting in increased saliva secretion, and occasionally, drooling. A person with Parkinson’s disease may also notice a change in his or her voice: it may become low and monotone, with little or no inflection. Akinesia and bradykinesia may also appear as trouble executing certain movements, and increased slowness when movements are attempted or executed. The result is lessened in fine motor skills dexterity. From a lifestyle perspective, this could mean the person with Parkinson’s may require help with everyday tasks such as shaving, tying laces, or fastening buttons.

Rigidity: Rigidity is essentially an increase in muscle tone that manifests itself as stiffness. Parkinson’s disease patients experiencing rigidity may not notice any other symptoms of this characteristic. In fact, the person may not even notice the signs of rigidity unless it is noted by a physician during a physical examination. The presence of physical rigidity, such as decreased arm swing, is especially useful in helping medical personnel establish a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Non-specific sensory symptoms: Unusual sensory feelings such as numbness, pain, burning sensation, restlessness and fatigue can also be indicators of Parkinson’s disease.

Seborrheic dermatitis: Parkinson’s patients may notice that they have developed greasier skin, especially around the nose and eyebrows, and a greasier scalp. This symptom is usually accompanied by increased sweating.

Although not an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease, the presence of postural instability can be a key marker in making a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, especially if the disease has been allowed to progress unchecked for an extended period.

Symptoms and warning signs of Parkinson’s disease tend to appear as people with the condition enter their 60s, although contrary to the belief that Parkinson’s is strictly an old person’s illness (various studies indicate Parkinson’s disease affects one percent of the population over age 50), symptoms can also present in much younger people.