We collected the nine most common signs that warn you may have Parkinson’s disease. Some of them are well known and often associated with PD. Others are unknown for many, but latest studies show that also these refer to neurologic disorders like PD.
Be aware of them, and if you experience two or more of them, see a neurologist for diagnosis.
1 Tremor
Tremor is a well-known symptom of Parkinson’s disease. It often starts in the legs and arms, even in the fingers or toes. At the beginning in the most cases PD affects the one side of the body, so you should take the signs more serious if you feel the tremor only in your left or right side.
2 Slow movement, hard to start than hard to stop moving
Sometimes it is difficult to notice that your movement slowed down, but someone from your environment may warn you that you are not as quick as you used to be. It also can be a warning sign if you feel that your legs, or arms started or stopped moving slightly later than you wanted to.
3 Low voice
It is also your environment that will notice that it has became harder to hear or to understand you. As an early sign of PD your voice can become lower and softer.
4 Loss of smell
Latest studies show that it can refer to Parkinson’s disease if you are not able to feel certain smells. If you don’t smell your favorite foods or flowers and it’s not because of flue, it can be a symptom of PD.
5 Trouble sleeping
Certain types of sleeping disorders are related to PD. If you or your family experience sudden, wild movement while you are sleeping, it can be an early sign of PD.
6 Loss of balance
PD often causes dizziness and asymmetry in body strength. Both can lead to loss of balance. If you feel unsafely while walking, it is hard to keep your balance, or you fell too many times, it can be because of PD.
7 Masked face
When rigidity reaches your face muscles, it will be hard to show emotions. Your friends and family members may notice that you do not look as cheerful and smiley than before.
8 Not swinging arms while walking
It doesn’t seem to be a serious problem and it may not disturb you at all that your arms aren’t moving while you are walking. But it can show a more severe problem, that you lost some unwanted movement that are essential in keeping your balance and in helping your movement.
9 Small handwriting