6 Early Warning Signs of Parkinson’s
If you suspect that you or your loved one may have Parkinson’s, there are some early warning signs to look out for. Doctors may prescribe certain Parkinson’s medications such as Carbidopa Dhivy HCP Tablets. The Austedo XR Choreahd medication cost, if prescribed, may be high, so purchasing healthcare to aid the cost might be a good option. In this article, we outline six early warning signs of Parkinson’s that you can keep an eye on:
1. Small handwriting
While some individuals have naturally smaller handwriting or their handwriting changes as they age, those with Parkinson’s may notice that their handwriting has gotten smaller and more cramped. This change could be attributed to the early indication of Parkinson’s known as micrographia, in which an individual’s handwriting is abnormally small or becomes progressively smaller.
2. Tremor
Have you been resting recently and come to notice a subtle tremor or shaking in your chin, hand, fingers, or thumb? For those with Parkinson’s, this tremor typically begins in the hand before carrying up to impact the rest of the arm or traveling downward to impact the adjacent leg. Of course, shaking can be normal after lots of physical exertion—walking, running, exercising—or even caused by medication, stress, or injury. However, those with Parkinson’s experience these tremors during periods of rest and, while there is no cure for them, they can be managed with help from a Parkinson’s nurse or specialist.
3. Losing sense of smell
For many, the loss of smell can be attributed to a stuffy nose from a cold or flu. However, if this symptom is prolonged—as it can occasionally begin years before other symptoms develop—it might be worth getting screened for Parkinson’s. Those with Parkinson’s may have trouble smelling their favorite foods or bananas, licorice, or dill pickles.
4. Bladder or bowel problems
Constipation and bladder overactivity are common issues for individuals with Parkinson’s. While straining to have a bowel movement or needing to use the bathroom suddenly and without warning can be traced back to many other issues—lack of fiber, lack of water, diabetes—these problems may indicate that someone has Parkinson’s.
5. Difficulty sleeping
For those with Parkinson’s, some symptoms may interrupt their sleep. Tremors, restless leg syndrome, thrashing, and stiffness during sleep may lead to drowsiness and exhaustion during the day and could be an early sign of Parkinson’s.
6. Stiffness, cramps, and inflexibility
Stiffness of the body can happen for lots of reasons and, for many, goes away as movement occurs. However, if your feet feel ‘stuck to the floor’, making daily tasks like tying shoelaces, getting dressed, or getting into bed more difficult, this could be an early sign of Parkinson’s.