Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, meaning it is a disorder that affects the neurons in the brain. Parkinson s Disease affects neurons the are involved with producing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is an important aid in movement. While it is not a fatal disease, Parkinson’s Disease does affect the quality of life of those who are diagnosed.
It is not clear what exactly causes Parkinson’s Disease. Scientists have discovered that there are some genetic mutations related to Parkinson’s Disease, however, just having a family history does not necessarily mean that you are more likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease. Some people who have the mutations will never develop the disease. Since it is relatively rare to inherit the disease, scientists have been researching people who have Parkinson’s Disease to better understand if there are environmental factors that contribute to the onset of the disease.
1. Hand Tremors
Often associated with Parkinson’s Disease, a hand tremor is an involuntary muscle spasm. It will often look like your hand is shaking when it is supposed to be at rest. This is perhaps one of the most recognizable signs of Parkinson’s Disease. Hand tremors, also referred to as resting tremors, could potentially affect one side of your body more than the other. It is also common to get tremors in your face and legs when you have Parkinson’s Disease. Hand tremors can vary in severity from person to person, and may also be influenced by the time of day.
Hand tremors have the ability to impact your quality of life. While Parkinson’s Disease is not considered to be fatal, hand tremors can make doing simple tasks more difficult. You may need to have some help when you do activities that should be easy to do on your own. Parkinson’s disease is often treated with medication that can help ease tremors. If you find yourself shaking involuntarily, think about the circumstances surrounding the tremor. Certain things such as exercising and caffeine consumption can cause shaking, and may not necessarily be cause for alarm. If you notice your hand shaking when you are sitting down or resting, or you find that tremors keep you from performing basic activities, you should consult with a neurologist.
2. Slow Movement
Parkinson’s Disease affects movement because it impacts the part of the brain that produces dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in helping you move about in a normal way. If you notice your movement has slowed down a bit, it may be a sign of Parkinson’s Disease. Slow movement, also referred to as bradykinesia, is another symptom that has an impact on quality of life. You may find that it is more difficult to walk or get up after sitting. More than just the soreness after an intense workout, the slow movement associated with Parkinson’s Disease can make simple tasks take much longer than they should. If you find that you are having difficulty with something as easy as brushing your teeth, a visit to the doctor may be needed.
3. Stiffness
As you get older, your body naturally begins to slow down a bit. You may find that you have some stiffness every now and then, which by itself isn’t a cause for concern. However, if you notice that you have stiffness or rigidity that particularly affects one side of your body more than the other, then you may want to see a doctor. The rigidity can be notable in one body part, such as your leg, or in your whole body. If you experience stiffness in combination with other symptoms on this list, you may need to get tested for Parkinson’s Disease. Moving around is typically more difficult when you have this disease and it can even impact your balance.
4. Loss of Balance
Having good balance is important for all kinds of daily activities including standing and walking. Two of the most basic functions can become difficult when you have Parkinson’s Disease. Those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease may find that they start to develop problems with posture. Issues with posture can lead to losing balance or coordination and is one of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease. All aspects of movement can be impacted with this disease, making it difficult to get around like you used to. When loss of balance is paired with one or more of the other symptoms on this list, you may need to consult with a neurologist.
5. Difficulty Standing and Walking
Many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease have something important in common: movement. Those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease tend to have depleted dopamine levels, which helps facilitate movement within the body. Some medications can be prescribed to help remedy the low levels of dopamine and some of the symptoms related to movement can be improved. Difficulty standing and walking can be associated with stiffness and loss of balance, other symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. You may need to see a doctor when you have trouble simply standing or walking. You may feel weak or experience tremors or other involuntary movements that impact your mobility.
6. Involuntary Movements
You will know when it is time to see a doctor for potential treatment of Parkinson’s Disease if you suffer from involuntary movements. You will find that performing basic everyday functions becomes difficult or even impossible to complete on your own. Involuntary movements can be noted by a tremor, or even having parts of your face freeze without actively trying to keep still. Your handwriting may not be legible with your hand moving all over the page, or you may not be able to keep food on your fork when you are eating. Living with Parkinson’s Disease is difficult, but you can still have a good quality of life with the right treatment and therapy.
7. Daytime Sleepiness
Not all signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are related to movement. Those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease often report difficulty with sleeping. As you get older you may find yourself getting tired throughout the day. This is a common phenomena that comes with age. You should be concerned if you are excessively sleepy throughout the day. Excessive daytime sleepiness, a sign of Parkinson’s Disease, is disruptive to your normal daily functions. Of course, there are other factors that may contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness such as other medications that you take, so it is important to consult with a doctor.
8. Restless Sleep
Patients with Parkinson’s Disease often report having trouble falling and staying asleep. They may find themselves waking up several times throughout the night. Research shows that many diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease suffer from insomnia and have difficulties falling back asleep after waking up. Sleep issues may stem from side effects of the medications used to treat Parkinson’s Disease, or from the other symptoms of the disease. Tremors, involuntary movements and muscle rigidity can all contribute to waking up frequently throughout the night. If these symptoms are left untreated, it may be more difficult than normal to get a quality night of sleep.
9. Fatigue
Since your sleep may be interrupted several times throughout the night, fatigue can happen more frequently and forcefully. While getting tired is often a sign of aging, with Parkinson’s Disease it will be much more extreme and may not get better with rest. The secondary effects of Parkinson’s Disease can impact all aspects of your life and make functioning regularly more difficult. Fatigue is often characterized by extreme mental or physical exhaustion or loss of energy. Those with Parkinson’s Disease may find themselves unable to do the things they normally love because they feel completely worn out all the time.
10. Dizziness
As is the case with fatigue and sleep issues, dizziness can be another by-product of Parkinson’s Disease. Research has shown that patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease may have a higher likelihood of developing hypertension issues, which can lead to the experience of dizziness when blood pressure drops. Dizziness affects balance and can be dangerous if you fall without anybody around to help. You will need to take precautions if you find yourself suffering from dizziness regularly. Fortunately there are some easy ways to prevent this, including drinking plenty of water, exercising and keeping your muscles warmed up.
11. Confusion
Even though Parkinson’s Disease is primarily noted for decreased dopamine levels that affect movement, other areas of the brain may be impacted by the disease which can affect cognitive functioning. People who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease may experience bouts of confusion. Decreases in mental processing and issues with memory can contribute to feelings of confusion. It can be very distressing to be suddenly overwhelmed with confusion, particularly when paired with the other physical symptoms that restrict movement. The symptoms often get worse as the disease progresses. A cognitive test can be administered to determine the degree of impairment a person is experiencing. Any signs of impacted cognitive function warrant a consultation with your neurologist or doctor.
12. Impaired Speech
Tremors most commonly affect the hands but may also impact the muscles in the face. This can cause a speech impairment, making communication extremely difficult. You may find that your speech is slowed down, you have trouble getting words out or you have difficulty speaking loud enough for others to hear. Speech pathologists can often be instrumental in helping to create coping mechanisms designed to improve your communication abilities. Impaired speech can get worse as Parkinson’s Disease progresses, so if you notice these signs and symptoms be sure to make an appointment with a doctor or neurologist as soon as possible.
