Parkinson's Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with no cure. The disease is progressive, which means that it gets worse over time, making it particularly difficult to live with. Imagine not being able to control your own actions or take care of your children.
Whether you are a caregiver caring for someone with Parkinson's Disease or someone who is concerned about the well-being of a loved one, this article will help you better understand and recognise some of the usual signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
While the following lists some of the most commonly experienced symptoms by my patients, it is not an exhaustive one. When in doubt, I highly recommend the professional advice of a medical practitioner who will be able to better diagnose and follow up with medical advice and help.
While Parkinson’s Disease is incurable, early diagnosis can lead to preventative treatments that help in slowing down the effects of the disease. As a progressive disease, nonmotor deterioration, such as depression or loss of smell, happens before motor deterioration, such as tremors and stiffness, in Parkinson's Disease. This article explains some of these nonmotor and motor deterioration symptoms. [1]
1. A Change in Handwriting
While a sudden and unexplainable change in handwriting occurring might not be entirely attributable to Parkinson's Disease, many who have Parkinson's Disease write with smaller, more cramped handwriting, meaning their words become less readable. This happens during the early stages of the disease.
2. Loss of Sense of Smell
Affecting more than 70-90% of people who have Parkinson's Disease, the dysfunction of olfactory senses (smell), otherwise known as hyposmia, can be a predictive marker of Parkinson's Disease. These symptoms could strike decades before the disease develops. [2]
However, this does not mean that any form of nose congestion is a sign of Parkinson's Disease. Most loss of smells is caused by a congestion of the nose. [3] These losses can be reactions triggered by allergens, or simply the common flu. Nonetheless, you need to pay attention if the lack of smell is sustained without any noticeable congestion.
3. Constipation
Constipation is a common symptom that may appear years before other symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. About 63% of patients with Parkinson's Disease experience Constipation. Dietary and lifestyle changes, laxatives such as Metamucil, and stool softeners can help ease this type of constipation. [4]
4. Sleep Disorder
More than half of patients with Parkinson's disease suffer from sleep disorders of different types. Such disorders can include insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, movements (e.g. acting out nightmares or vivid dreams) and laughing at night (REM behavior disorder) and a need to move the legs (restless leg syndrome). [5]
Consistent lack of rest can give way to fatigue which can reduce the desire or ability to perform well in daily activities.
5. Mood Disorders
Parkinson's Disease causes your body to produce less Dopamine, a chemical you need to regulate emotions. This means that patients may suffer from Depression or Anxiety years before a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. Mood Disorders can appear anywhere between 1 year up to 60 years before diagnosis. Medication can help stabilise your mood. [6]
Parkinson's is a lifelong disease that requires long-term care and support. Unlike what popular media often portray, it is easy to miss the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. This is because most signs are subtle and can be easily mistaken as less serious health problems.
When in doubt, it is better to be more cautious. Seek assistance from a medical professional who will be able to diagnose and recommend solutions that can help the worsening of the condition.
You might also be interested to read—Losing your Memory: Supporting Caregivers and Patients with Dementia.
After completing medical school, Dr Kon continued his medical training in neurosurgery and neurocritical care at various institutes in the UK which include the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (London), Charing Cross Hospital (London), Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Cambridge) as well as the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) in Singapore.
He obtained his PhD at Imperial College London and subsequently completed his fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto in Canada.
You can find Dr Kon at NeuroAsiaCare
