It’s thought around one in 500 people are affected by Parkinson’s disease, according to the NHS. Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, early diagnosis is important so that patients can receive the proper treatment and advice regarding care. People with the condition can experience a range of different symptoms.
Men are slightly more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than women, and most people with Parkinson’s start to develop symptoms when they’re over 50.
The Mayo Clinic states: “Loss of automatic movements. You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.”
The site notes: “Parkinson’s disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed.
“Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.”
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The NHS states that there are three main symptoms of the condition.
They are involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles.
“See a GP if you’re concerned that you may have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
“They’ll ask about the problems you’re experiencing and may refer you to a specialist for further tests,” the site adds.
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Symptoms often begin on one side of the body or even in one limb on one side of the body.
“Many people with Parkinson’s note that prior to experiencing stiffness and tremor, they had sleep problems, constipation, decreased ability to smell, and restless legs,” according to the National Institute on Ageing.
The organisation adds: “Sometimes people dismiss early symptoms of Parkinson’s as the effects of normal aging.”
The National Institute on Ageing has outlined several other possible early symptoms of the condition.
These include gastrointestinal difficulties, like constipation and slowed movement of food from the stomach into the intestines.
You might also notice a reduced sense of smell, also known as hyposmia, or sleep problems. Another early sign is sexual dysfunction, as are depression or anxiety.
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may be “subtle” and occur gradually, the organisation says. Some people may feel mild tremors or have difficulty getting out of a chair.
The NHS notes: “A person with Parkinson’s disease can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms.”
These may include loss of sense of smell, problems sleeping and balance problems, increasing the chances of suffering a fall.
Although there is currently no cure, there are many different therapies and factors that can help in managing the condition, the NHS says.
The health body adds: “Most people with Parkinson’s start to develop symptoms when they’re over 50, although around one in 20 people with the condition first experience symptoms when they’re under 40.”
You should see your GP if you’re concerned you may have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
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