Parkinson's Disease: What Exactly Is It, and What Are Its 10 Early Symptoms?

1. Tremor: Often starting in a hand or fingers, a tremor may appear as a back-and-forth rubbing of the thumb and forefinger, known as a pill-rolling tremor.
2. Bradykinesia: Slowed movement is a hallmark symptom. This can manifest as a decreased ability to initiate voluntary movements or difficulty with activities that require fine motor control.
3. Rigidity: Stiffness and inflexibility of the limbs or trunk muscles, which can lead to decreased range of motion and muscle pain.
4. Postural instability: Impaired balance and coordination, leading to difficulty with walking, standing, and maintaining posture. This often becomes more pronounced as the disease progresses.
5. Micrographia: Handwriting may become smaller and more cramped, making it difficult to write legibly.
6. Mask-like expression: Reduced facial expressions, resulting in a fixed or blank facial expression, often referred to as a "masked face."
7. Voice changes: Speech may become softer, more monotone, or slurred due to changes in the muscles involved in speaking.
8. Decreased arm swing: A reduced or absent swinging of the arms while walking, which is often more noticeable on one side of the body.
9. Loss of smell: Some individuals may experience a reduced ability to detect odors or a loss of smell altogether, known as anosmia.
10. Sleep disturbances: Parkinson's disease can cause various sleep disturbances, including insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), which may involve acting out dreams physically.

It's important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has Parkinson's disease, as they can also be caused by other conditions. If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they are persistent or worsening over time, they should consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis