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Parkinson's Disease Warning Signs

Do you know if you are at risk for Parkinson's disease? What are the symptoms? What should you watch for if you know there is a close relative who has Parkinson's disease? These are all great questions and information you need to know. Parkinson's Disease is rarely found in the young and is more often diagnosed in men.

Parkinson's Disease will normally begin in middle or late life and if you have a relative with Parkinson's you have a bigger risk of developing this disease. Men are more at risk for developing the disease and if you have had a continuing exposure to some pesticides and herbicides. Scientists and researchers believe there is a connection between environmental issues and genetic mutations. Many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease occur because of brain cells that produce dopamine are damaged or die. Dopamine is a chemical messenger formed in the brain. Dopamine affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain.

Parkinson's disease normally develops gradually and progressively gets worse over the years. It may start out as a slight tremor in one hand, or your face will show little or no expression. Speech may become low and jumbled and get worse as the disease progresses.

The most common warning sign of Parkinson's disease is a noticeable tremor. This one characteristic can signal the approach of the disease. Tremors will normally start on one side of the body and most often in the hand. Sometimes the patient will make a rolling motion between the thumb and forefinger known as the "pill rolling" motion.

Slow or reduced motion may be another sign of Parkinson's disease. The disease will impair your ability to start voluntary movement. This means your walk may become shuffling and your steps shorter, or you may find it difficult to make that first step. That means that even the simplest jobs are time-consuming and difficult for those who have this disease.

Another warning sign may be the opposite of the tremor. It may mean that muscle stiffness occurs in the neck and lower limbs. This stiffness can cause pain and restrict your range of motion. Being unbalanced is another sign of Parkinson's and is common in most patients. It is usually a minor symptom until the disease reaches the later stages.

A patient with Parkinson's disease may lose automatic movements. The simple act of smiling or blinking, or putting one foot in front of the other are all normal automatic movements that may be impaired by this disease. A patient may acquire a staring expression and will not blink as a normal person would. They may no longer have the ability to seem animated when they are speaking or may find they no longer use hand gestures while talking.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these warning signs or symptoms, you should contact your doctor. The doctor can rule out other causes for the symptoms and give a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. An accurate diagnosis is key to starting with the correct treatment. The right treatment may delay or manage the symptoms of Parkinson's disease for several years.