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What Are The Early Symptoms For Parkinson Disease

Your Symptoms Are Unique To You

Recognizing Early Signs of Parkinsons Disease

Article written by Jackie Hunt Christensen.

Since that life-altering moment you received your diagnosis, you probably have learned about the symptoms of Parkinsons disease and your treatment options. But what you should also know is that your Parkinsons and how you deal with it are as unique as you are.

For some people embracing new activities that refocus their attention away from troubling symptoms and onto things that are intrinsically satisfying can help. The key, she says, is to find ways to bring joy and happiness into your life every day.

Trouble Moving Or Walking

Do you feel stiff in your body, arms or legs? Have others noticed that your arms dont swing like they used to when you walk? Sometimes stiffness goes away as you move. If it does not, it can be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. An early sign might be stiffness or pain in your shoulder or hips. People sometimes say their feet seem stuck to the floor.

What is normal?If you have injured your arm or shoulder, you may not be able to use it as well until it is healed, or another illness like arthritis might cause the same symptom.

Earliest Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease

Most people know that Parkinsons disease causes problems with movement. But did you know it can produce non-movement symptoms as well?

In fact, non-motor symptoms can occur many years before movement problems.

The 4 most common non-motor symptoms are remembered using the short-form: CARD. These letters stand for:

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Cognitive And Mental Symptoms

The changes occurring in the brain that affect movement and muscle tone can also influence how a person thinks, affecting our cognitive functions. Furthermore, the weight of the physical symptoms and the uncertainties of the prognosis can triggermental health concerns.

Below are some of the cognitive and mental health symptoms that people with Parkinsons might experience.

20. Anxiety and Depression

The cognitive changes happening in someone with PD bear similarities to those with anxiety and depression. On top of that, the stress and concerns that come with medication, therapy, and not being able to do things like before can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

21. Memory Problems and Cognitive Changes

A reduced ability to recall things and difficulty in focusing may not appear until the later stages of Parkinsons, butexperts say the risk is there. In fact, many individuals with PD tend to developdementia towards the later stages.

22. Hallucinations and Delusions

Previously,experts believed that psychotic symptoms, particularly hallucinations and delusions, mainly arise from long-term use of PD medications now, though, they found that these could be related to the disease itself.

23. Apathy

Because of their physical symptoms like pain and reduced ability to move, individuals often develop a lack of interest in daily activities . People around them may also notice changes in their personality and behaviour.

What Are The Early Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease

Pin by Sung Song on Parkinson

Parkinsons disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system, caused by gradual loss of function in the parts of the brain that control movement. Early symptoms of Parkinsons disease include tremor of the hands, face, or limbs, stiffness in the arms, legs, and torso, and difficulty initiating voluntary movement. Other early symptoms may include smaller handwriting, stooping or poor posture, and a shuffling walk, and a consistently serious, sad, or angry facial expression, regardless of the persons actual mood.

Parkinsons usually affects people over the age of 50. For most people who develop Parkinsons, early symptoms are subtle, appear gradually over time, and progress in stages. In some people, however, symptoms progress much more quickly, leading to a more sudden loss of ability.

Because of the progressive nature of Parkinsons disease, its important to stay vigilant at the first onset of symptoms. Although its impossible to predict how quickly symptoms will get worse, since disease progress varies from person to person, its vital to pursue treatment and coordinate assistance for affected individuals as soon as possible.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one seeking care from a home care agency for Parkinsons related challenges. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

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Making Changes To Your Home And Lifestyle

  • Modify your activities and your home. For example, simplify your daily activities and change the location of furniture so that you can hold on to something as you move around the house.
  • Eat healthy foods. This includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.
  • Exercise and do physical therapy. They have benefits in both early and advanced stages of the disease.

Connect With Other Patients And Share Tips On How To Manage Parkinsons Disease In Our Forums

Up to 44 percent of those with PD have experienced internal tremors. This also is what young-onset Parkinsons disease can look like. In my early 20s, the tremors continued, and I started having gut troubles. I didnt think much of it, but looking back on my medical history, my doctor felt confident that PD was playing a quiet role way back when.

Fiona MacDonald, of ScienceAlert, says, Researchers have noticed that people with Parkinsons often report digestive problems up to 10 years before they notice tremors. Theres also evidence that people with Parkinsons disease have different gut bacteria to other healthy adults. This also is what PD can look like but you cant see it.

I began reading through my journals and began to see my symptoms actually did begin in high school. But they were subtle. They were unpronounced, minimal, silent, unassuming. There was some rigidity. Internal tremors. Gut problems. Not much, but enough to put a connection to. This is what young-onset Parkinsons disease can feel like.

When I was 32, I was misdiagnosed with lupus and medicated with pills that didnt make a difference. This is not uncommon.

I dont have time to wallow in a sea of sorrow over a disease I have, but would rather not have. Since I do have it, I recognize there are times when its OK to be treated differently and to need help. Its really OK, because

thats what PD can look like.

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Prescription Medications To Treat Parkinsons

Most movement symptoms are due to a lack of dopamine. Therefore, drugs prescribed to treat PD are dopaminergic they either replenish dopamine or mimic its effects on the brain. The most common is called levodopa. The body converts this medication into dopamine to help control movement symptoms.

Make sure your doctor knows all medications you take including over-the-counter and supplements. This helps reduce the risk of drug interactions, a common issue for Parkinsons patients.

What Are The Later Secondary Signs And Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease

10 Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

While the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are movement-related, progressive loss of muscle control and continued damage to the brain can lead to secondary symptoms. These secondary symptoms vary in severity, and not everyone with Parkinson’s will experience all of them, and may include:

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Parkinson’s Disease Is Difficult To Diagnose

Parkinson’s is a challenge to diagnose since there is no definitive test for it. Blood tests and scans are usually run just to rule out other causes of the symptoms.

If a GP suspects a patient could have Parkinson’s, they may refer them to a neurologist who can make a diagnosis based on medical history, a review of the signs and symptoms and a physical examination. It can help to keep a diary of symptoms leading up to the appointment.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease in some people can be a long process.

Early Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Can Be Overlooked

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are divided into 2 groups: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.

Early non-motor symptoms can be subtle and it’s possible to overlook them as signs of Parkinson’s: for example, anxiety and depression, fatigue, loss of smell, speech problems, difficulty sleeping, erectile dysfunction, incontinence and constipation. Another sign of Parkinson’s is handwriting that becomes smaller.

Motor symptoms of Parkinson’s can include tremor , slowness of movement , muscle rigidity and instability .

It’s possible for non-motor symptoms to start occurring up to a decade before any motor symptoms emerge. Years can pass before symptoms are obvious enough to make a person to go to the doctor.

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to Parkinson’s disease different people will experience different symptoms, and of varying severity. One in 3 people, for example, won’t experience tremor.

On average, 37 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every day in Australia. Parkinson’s Australia

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How Can People Cope With Parkinsons Disease

While PD usually progresses slowly, eventually daily routines may be affectedfrom socializing with friends to earning a living and taking care of a home. These changes can be difficult to accept. Support groups can help people cope with the diseases emotional impact. These groups also can provide valuable information, advice, and experience to help people with PD, their families, and their caregivers deal with a wide range of issues, including locating doctors familiar with the disease and coping with physical limitations. A list of national organizations that can help people locate support groups in their communities appears at the end of this information. Individual or family counseling may also help people find ways to cope with PD.

People with PD may also benefit from being proactive and finding out as much as possible about the disease in order to alleviate fear of the unknown and to take a positive role in maintaining their health. Many people with PD continue to work either full- or part-time, although they may need to adjust their schedule and working environment to accommodate their symptoms.

Early Symptoms Of Parkinsons

Early Parkinsons  Parkinson
By Gleria Anderson 9 am on April 5, 2018

Parkinsons disease is difficult to diagnose because symptoms may also be present in other medical conditions. However, the symptoms produced by Parkinsons disease are easier to control when it is diagnosed in the early stages. Certain signs appear when the disease process initially develops. Recognizing the changes can help seniors get the medical attention they need. Here are a few early warning signs of Parkinsons disease.

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Alternative Therapies To Treat Parkinsons Disease

Although no herbs or supplements have been approved by the FDA to treat Parkinsons, there are a variety of alternative therapies currently being researched.

  • Calcium supplements are often prescribed because dairy makes it harder for the body to absorb levodopa.
  • Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant thought to improve mitochondria health. Some researchers believe abnormal function of the mitochondria may play a role in Parkinsons.
  • Creatine may help increase levels of phosphocreatine, a substance that provides energy to the brain.
  • Folate, aka vitamin B9, is vital to both brain health and the nervous system.
  • Ginger is often recommended to reduce nausea caused by medications.
  • The Mediterranean Diet may help manage symptoms and reduce blood pressure.
  • Vitamin D supplements may be needed to help your body absorb calcium, particularly if you dont get enough sunshine.
  • Vitamin E may help fight damage to brain cells caused by free radicals, although studies concluded it does nothing to manage symptoms after diagnosis.

Finally, anecdotal evidence suggests that medical marijuana, now legal in 33 states plus Washington, D.C., may help patients with Parkinsons disease. The Parkinsons Foundation has a full page on the research being conducted to determine whether medical marijuana is a viable treatment option for PD patients.

How Is Constipation An Early Warning Sign Of Parkinson’s It’s Such A Common Problem

A: It’s not as specific as other prodromal symptoms, like anosmia. The rate at which people with chronic and unexplained problems with constipation develop Parkinson’s disease is not as easy to pin down. But if someone has unexplained, persistent constipation, it should at least be noted, as it could be considered prodromal.

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Can Doctors Miss The Early Signs Of Parkinsons Disease

Yes, doctors are human.

There has been a tremendous increase in human knowledge over recent years. It is not possible for a single person to recognize all the symptoms of all the diseases.

Thus, when a patient only has the early symptoms of Parkinsons disease, the diagnosis of Parkinsons disease is often missed.

As noted above, the early symptoms of Parkinsons disease can be vague.

Even if you have some of these symptoms, your diagnosis needs to be confirmed by a physical examination. This examination detects the early signs of Parkinsons disease.

Sometimes when the doctor examines you, everything might be perfectly normal. This may be due to one of two things:

  • You dont have Parkinsons disease.
  • Your Parkinsons disease is so mild that treatment is not needed at this stage.
  • The last thing to make sure is that you dont have a disease that can mimic Parkinsons disease. This can lead to misdiagnosis.

    If the doctor is not sure, a test called Trodat/F-Dopa scan may help with diagnosis

    What Medications Are Used To Treat Parkinsons Disease

    Medications are the main treatment method for patients with Parkinsons disease. Your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan best suited for you based on the severity of your disease at the time of diagnosis, side effects of the drug class and success or failure of symptom control of the medications you try.

    Medications combat Parkinsons disease by:

    Treatment Options For Early Onset Parkinsons Disease

    How Is Parkinsons Disease Diagnosed

    What are the early signs of Parkinson’s disease?

    Diagnosing Parkinsons disease is sometimes difficult, since early symptoms can mimic other disorders and there are no specific blood or other laboratory tests to diagnose the disease. Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans, may be used to rule out other disorders that cause similar symptoms.

    To diagnose Parkinsons disease, you will be asked about your medical history and family history of neurologic disorders as well as your current symptoms, medications and possible exposure to toxins. Your doctor will look for signs of tremor and muscle rigidity, watch you walk, check your posture and coordination and look for slowness of movement.

    If you think you may have Parkinsons disease, you should probably see a neurologist, preferably a movement disorders-trained neurologist. The treatment decisions made early in the illness can affect the long-term success of the treatment.

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    Early Warning Signs Of Parkinsons Disease

    Parkinsons disease is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world. In the US alone, it affects more than 500,000 people. This is according to the National Institute of Health, also known as the NIH.

    While there are treatment options designed to ease the challenges that come along with Parkinsons disease, early detection plays a key role. It is also worth noting that learning a thing or two about how the disease comes about is just as critical as learning its early signs.

    How It Starts

    Parkinsons disease starts at the brain cells known as neurons. These cells are responsible for controlling movement and they also produce a special substance referred to as dopamine. Parkinsons disease steps into full swing when neurons die.

    Early Signs

    You can easily spot the early signs of Parkinsons disease especially if they manifest sporadically. That is why you need to be extremely attentive. You also need to consult with a doctor as soon as you notice any of the following Parkinsons disease symptoms:

    Small Handwriting

    A sudden change in the size of a patients handwriting is one of the least known yet one of the most indicative early signs of Parkinsons disease. It happens because people who suffer from Parkinsons disease usually have a hard time controlling movement. This makes fine motor skills like writing and drawing difficult.

    Tremor

    Sleep Problems

    Slow Movement and Stiffness

    We can help you to deal with Parkinsons disease

    Depression May Be An Early Symptom Of Parkinsons

    Depression is one of the most common, and most disabling, non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease. As many as 50 per cent of people with Parkinsons experience the symptoms of clinical depression at some stage of the disease. Some people experience depression up to a decade or more before experiencing any motor symptoms of Parkinsons.

    Clinical depression and anxiety are underdiagnosed symptoms of Parkinsons. Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in Parkinsons disease may be due to chemical and physical changes in the area of the brain that affect mood as well as movement. These changes are caused by the disease itself.

    Here are some suggestions to help identify depression in Parkinsons:

    • Mention changes in mood to your physician if they do not ask you about these conditions.
    • Complete our Geriatric Depression Scale-15 to record your feelings so you can discuss symptoms with your doctor. Download the answer key and compare your responses.
    • delusions and impulse control disorders

    Early Symptoms Of Parkinsons Can Be Overlooked

    Symptoms of Parkinsons disease are divided into 2 groups: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.

    Early non-motor symptoms can be subtle and its possible to overlook them as signs of Parkinsons: for example, anxiety and depression, fatigue, loss of smell, speech problems, difficulty sleeping, erectile dysfunction, incontinence and constipation. Another sign of Parkinsons is handwriting that becomes smaller.

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    What Is The Prognosis And Life Expectancy For Parkinson’s Disease

    The severity of Parkinson’s disease symptoms and signs vary greatly from person to person, and it is not possible to predict how quickly the disease will progress.

    • Parkinson’s disease itself is not a fatal disease, and the average life expectancy is similar to that of people without the disease.
    • Secondary complications, such as pneumonia, falling-related injuries, and choking can lead to death.
    • Many treatment options can reduce some of the symptoms and prolong the quality of life.

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