Signs Of Parkinson’s Disease

It’s important to understand and recognize the signs of Parkinson’s Disease. This makes it easier to help or seek help for those who need it.

Tremors

Parkinson’s Disease isn’t kind, but some of the symptoms are subtle. Resting tremors that occur when the body is relaxed aren’t always signs, but that’s the problem since it’s tough to tell.

Muscle rigidity

Those who are in good health can depend on their muscles contracting when moving and relaxing when they rest. Those with Parkinson’s Disease don’t have this luxury since their muscle tone stiffens up and can limit mobility.

Slower movement

As we age, a lot of people experience slower movement as their bodies wear down gradually. Parkinson’s Disease causes an effect called bradykinesia, which slows down the normal movements of a person and is tougher to see unless one is watching carefully.

Posture change

Parkinson’s Disease has plenty of stumbling blocks, but a gradual change of posture occurs later as the reflexes of the affected individual begin to fade. At some point, even standing upright and pivoting can become nearly impossible.

Facial and throat muscles begin to weaken

At some point, the symptoms are harder to miss, but sadly this means that the disease has progressed to a point when things worsen considerably. When one’s facial and throat muscles weaken one loses much of their expressiveness and their speech becomes highly affected.

Freezing gait

This is different from muscle rigidity. Parkinson’s Disease causes some people to hesitate when moving forward, and they might feel stuck in place. The loss of balance is dangerous at this stage since recovery and reflexes are not what they should be.

Inability to sleep through the night

Sleep is, as many people know, important for anyone. But with Parkinson’s Disease, the ability to sleep through the night is more than a little difficult, sometimes it’s impossible. Unfortunately, this can affect one’s behavior when they’re awake and make things even more difficult.

Constipation

This is one of the more miserable signs of Parkinson’s Disease, and unfortunately, it’s also overlooked. But given that this disease affects muscle movement, it’s only natural that it would affect one’s bowels and bladder.

Sweating profusely

Given that this disease affects the central nervous system one should expect that changes in the skin will eventually develop. What’s really unfortunate is that while the disease causes excess sweating, medication that helps the disease can cause this as well.

Dizziness

The trouble with this symptom is that it can be caused by many different things. But Parkinson’s Disease is a real possibility if you feel dizzy or faint every time you get up or when you’re moving around.