What’s the first thing you notice that you have Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is often diagnosed at a later stage because early symptoms can be subtle and non-specific. However, there are some early signs that may indicate the development of Parkinson’s disease, although they are often not recognized immediately.
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
- Loss of sense of smellOne of the first signs of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of the sense of smell. This can begin years before motor symptoms appear and occurs in 50% to 90% of cases.
- Sleep problems: Sleep problems, such as REM sleep behavior disorders where a person acts out their dreams, can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. This means that during the dream stage the person actually performs the movements he dreams about.
- holding: Chronic constipation is another common early symptom in people who are later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This symptom may occur 10 to 20 years before diagnosis.
- Changes in mood and behavior: Depression, anxiety, and fatigue are non-motor symptoms that can occur in the early stages. These symptoms are often not directly related to Parkinson’s disease, but they can be an indicator.
- Motor symptoms: Although motor symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, and bradykinesia (slower movement) often occur later, subtle changes such as smaller, blurred handwriting, difficulty with small movements, and decreased arm swing while walking can be early signs..
Why are these symptoms not recognized immediately?
The early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are often non-specific and can easily be attributed to other causes. For example, loss of sense of smell can be confused with a cold or allergies, and constipation can be caused by a wide range of other health problems. Furthermore, symptoms such as depression and anxiety are not unique to Parkinson’s disease and occur in other conditions as well.
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