Tremors
A tremor or uncontrollable movement is one of the most well-known signs of Parkinson’s and may be the first symptom to appear.
It usually starts in the hand before spreading to the rest of the arm, or sometimes to the foot on the same side of the body, charities say.
Tremors are more likely to occur when the limbs are relaxed.
Although there is no cure for tremors, they can be controlled with the help of a specialist or a Parkinson’s nurse.
Parkinson’s is caused by the death of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which are responsible for producing dopamine.
Dopamine is a vital neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger between parts of the brain and nervous systems that help control and coordinate body movements.
SLOW MOVEMENTS
Everyday tasks may take much longer if you have Parkinson’s.
This can make everyday activities such as paying for items in a shop, doing up buttons and walking to the bus take longer, says Parkinson’s UK.
Slowness of movement, medically known as bradykinesia, includes walking with short, shuffling steps.
It can also cause smaller movements (such as not smiling as widely as usual), difficulties swallowing and chewing, and lack of coordination.
Slow movement is also caused by reduced levels of dopamine in the brain, which affects the way muscles function.
Stiff muscles are another symptom of Parkinson’s that can slow you down.
Tension and lack of flexibility in the muscles can make it difficult to make facial expressions and move.
This can lead to painful muscle cramps and balance problems.
RIGIDITY
As a result, it may be more difficult to swing your arms, get up from a chair and turn over in bed, as well as breathe and speak clearly.
Just as reduced dopamine levels can cause slow movements and tremors, they are also thought to upset the balance between which muscles extend and relax with each movement, leading to stiffness and rigidity, according to Parkinson’s Europe.
LOSS OF SMELL
Loss of smell is an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease.
This symptom affects 95 per cent of people with the disease and can begin years before other symptoms develop, Parkinson’s UK says.
But loss of smell can affect people in different ways: some lose or gain weight because they can no longer smell food, while it can affect others’ mood.
For some, it may be subtle and only dull their sense of smell, while others may find it difficult to smell at all.
It can also create safety issues, as patients may find it difficult to perceive the smell of burning, for example.
Research suggests the symptoms are caused by a part of the brain, known as the “olfactory bulb” and responsible for processing smells, being smaller in some people with Parkinson’s, according to Parkinson’s UK.
Studies have also found that this bulb is the first part of the body where alpha-synuclein, a protein found in dopamine-producing cells, accumulates.
In Parkinson’s patients, proteins become tangled and form clumps, which experts say can spread the disease throughout the brain.
BLADDER OR BOWEL PROBLEMS
Getting up at night to go to the bathroom can be a nuisance for many people as they age.
But it is also another early sign of Parkinson’s.
Going to the bathroom more than once or twice a night (medically known as nocturia) could be a sign of the disease.
Urge incontinence, the need to urinate immediately and difficulty “holding” urine, can also be a symptom.
In Parkinson’s disease, symptoms are due to drops and fluctuations in dopamine levels, as this can affect the functioning of the muscles and nerves in the bladder.
Loss of dopamine can also cause brain signals that tell the bladder to hold or release urine to be disrupted, according to Parkinson’s Europe.
Constipation is also a symptom of the disease, as slowness of movement and stiffness (signs of the condition) can affect the muscles of the intestinal wall.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
Feelings of extreme sadness over a long period of time could be a sign of depression.
Depression and anxiety are common among people with Parkinson’s, but it’s not fully understood why, according to the NHS.
In some cases, these feelings occur months before other symptoms reveal themselves.
Studies suggest the symptoms are due to a decrease in dopamine among Parkinson’s patients, which can lead to fatigue and low mood.
Parkinson’s UK says this can lead to depression, worry and anxiety.
In addition, some patients may find that they are unable to socialize as much as before, leading to loneliness and isolation and increasing the risk of depression.
But the charity also points out that a Parkinson’s diagnosis itself can be very stressful, so it’s understandable that you may experience these feelings.
