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News Topical, Digital Desk : The first thing that comes to mind when we hear Parkinson's disease is trembling hands. Most people associate this disease with this symptom. Although this is the most well-known symptom, did you know that it is not always the first sign?
Slowing down and changing handwriting
One of the earliest and most significant symptoms of Parkinson's is bradykinesia, a slowing of movement. Patients experience difficulty performing simple everyday tasks like dressing, buttoning clothes, or walking.
An interesting sign of this is found in handwriting. If the letters become significantly smaller than they used to be, this is called micrographia, which is a major sign of this disease.
Body stiffness and slurred speech
Muscle tension or stiffness is also a key symptom. People often dismiss it as joint pain or a aging problem. Additionally, a person's voice may change, becoming more low-pitched or softer than before. A loss of facial expression is another early sign that people often don't recognize.
Symptoms that are not visible
Parkinson's doesn't just affect body movement, it also has many non-motor symptoms.
- Loss of smell – Loss of sense of smell can be a very early sign.
- Stomach and sleep problems – Persistent constipation and sleep disturbances also fall under this category.
- Mental Health – According to Indian studies, more than half of the patients may experience depression or anxiety during this disease .
- Loss of balance – As the disease progresses, the body's balance deteriorates and the patient becomes more likely to fall. Although these symptoms are more common in the later stages, they are a sign of the disease's progression.
Even though Parkinson's cannot be completely eradicated today, if these symptoms are identified early and medical advice is taken at the right time, then the patient's quality of life can be maintained better for many years.
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