Parkinson’s disease is a motor system disorder in which the sufferer can no longer produce the proper amount of dopamine that keeps the body functioning normally. Certain brain cells are required to produce this dopamine. When those cells are no longer being produced, the patient will experience a number of various symptoms.
The most common sign of Parkinson's is tremors—in the hands, feet, face and limbs. The person’s balance will be greatly affected, resulting in an inability to maintain an erect posture. Though Parkinson’s disease commonly affects those over the age of 50, it is important to be aware of any onset symptoms as soon as they begin. The symptoms will feel very mild at first, which makes diagnosis difficult. In fact, many patients will not even believe that they have Parkinson’s disease until the symptoms are impossible to ignore.
Tremors
Tremors are the most common of the Parkinson’s symptoms. They can begin in the fingers or hands and commonly start with a twitching of the thumb. This thumb movement is called the pill-rolling tremor. Eventually, the trembling of the thumb will lead to the entire hand. This is obvious when the hand begins to tremble even when at rest in a relaxed situation.
Muscle Stiffness
This particular symptom is difficult to diagnose, because many people will experience stiff muscles for various reasons. However, it is common for the muscles to become rigid when suffering from Parkinson’s disease. This will result in a decreased range of motion and poor mobility.
Decreased Automatic Motion
Automatic motion is something that most people take for granted. This includes blinking, smiling and other unconscious movements that we express throughout the day. As Parkinson’s disease advances, you might lose these unconscious abilities. Blinking and smiling will become conscious efforts.
Loss Of Balance
When suffering from Parkinson’s disease, you will likely lose your ability to maintain balance when standing or walking. This often results in a slouched posture that is commonly associated with the disease. Many patients will require crutches or a wheelchair to get around, but some cases are not as severe as others. If you notice any problems with your balance, it is a good idea to visit your doctor immediately. Loss of balance, even if not a result of Parkinson’s disease, is usually a bad sign.
Reduced Movement Speed
It is not uncommon for someone with Parkinson’s disease to experience a slowing of all motor skills. This is a particularly frustrating symptom, as it makes otherwise simple tasks very tedious and time consuming. Not only is your movement speed reduced, but it becomes more difficult to use your muscles as well. This commonly results in smaller steps or even a dragging of the feet.
Changes in Speech
One symptom to look out for is a total change in speech patterns. If you are in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, then you may notice that speaking has become more difficult. You will uncontrollably speak faster, but also softer, making it difficult for others to comprehend what you say. Expressing emotion when speaking will become very tedious, resulting in a monotone speech habit.
