Are There Any Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease? | The Prescription Shop

The Prescription Shop is committed to helping our community learn about a wide variety of health issues which may impact you and your loved ones. Because April is recognized as National Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, we’d like to shed some light on this condition which affects more than 10 million people globally.

Parkinson’s disease is a five stage condition of the nervous system which impacts each person a bit differently. Learn more about each stage here.

Researchers are still studying the disease for new breakthroughs and a cure. Like Alzheimer’s disease, there are some early warning signs to look out for in regards to Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Tremor
Early on, a patient who is developing PD may begin to shake slightly when at rest. This tremor commonly starts in the finger, thumb, hand or chin.

Fitful Sleeping
Another early sign of Parkinson’s disease includes beginning to thrash around in bed or make sudden movements during sleep.

A Loss of Smell
Sure, you might lose your sense of smell temporarily with a cold, but it should return once you are well again. An early symptom of PD includes a permanent loss of smell, particularly things like bananas, pickles or licorice.

Change in Handwriting
Some people in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease will experience a change in their handwriting. Often, it will become much smaller and the letters may seem crowded together.

Stiffness that Impairs Walking
Early on, people with PD will often start to feel stiff in their arms or legs. Arms might not swing like they used to or their feet may feel stuck to the floor.

Constipation
Of course, constipation has many causes, but for some people, chronic constipation may be an early indication of Parkinson’s disease.

Voice Changes
It is common for people developing PD to think that other people are suffering from hearing loss when they themselves have begun to speak very softly or sound hoarse, making them difficult to understand.

The truth is that there are many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and most of these symptoms can be related to a variety of other conditions. However, it’s good to be aware of what early symptoms look like, and if you find yourself exhibiting more than one of these signs, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Keep in mind that The Prescription Shop is here for you and your family. Stop by this week to stock up on your family’s home health needs and never hesitate to chat with our wonderful pharmacists to get your medicine questions answered. Visit our website today to learn more about our convenient services.