How to Catch the Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a serious condition for which there is no cure. PD affects the central nervous system and impairs your motor skills, speech, and in its later phases, your mental clarity and focus. Parkinson’s is difficult to diagnose, however, some of the symptoms can be treated with medication or surgery. As with any illness, early detection begins with you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Pay attention to tremors or uncontrollable shaking. Parkinson’s disease often begins with subtle tremors on one side of the body. Tremors in the hand, arm or leg need to be noted and carefully watched.
2. Note slow movement in voluntary functions. Sufferers of Parkinson’s disease may have difficulty walking or performing simple tasks due to a delay in the transmission of signals from the brain to the skeletal muscles, which can make movement uncontrollably slow.
3. Watch for signs of muscle stiffness. Someone suffering with Parkinson’s may have severe muscle stiffness that can affect the limbs, neck and trunk. Severe stiffness in the muscles can make movement slow and painful.
4. Pay attention to balance and coordination problems. Those with PD may have difficulty maintaining their balance, posture and coordination. They may lean forward or backward while walking, have difficulty picking up their feet, or be unable to swing their arms as they walk.
5. Note changes in speech. Parkinson’s sufferers may speak slowly and softly or slur their speech.
6. See your doctor if you are experiencing any two of the above symptoms. Your doctor will examine your medical history and perform tests to help rule out other neurological disorders before being able to make a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t disregard symptoms. Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are constipation, difficulty swallowing, excessive sweating, excessive salivating, incontinence, dementia, depression and anxiety.
• There are no blood or laboratory tests to diagnose Parkinson’s disease though your doctor may order tests to check for drugs and toxins that may mimic the symptoms of PD.
• Your doctor may prescribe medications or surgery to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
• If you are experiencing new difficulties in speech, consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of a stroke.