13 symptoms suggest it

1. 24vita
2. Health

Created: 04/03/2023, 8:30 p.m

Von: Natalie Hull Drawbar

Split

Parkinson’s is not only noticeable through the typical tremors in the arms and legs. Unspecific symptoms that appear years before can also indicate the neurological disease.

1 / 13The limited perception of the smell of spices, especially oregano, is considered a typical, first early symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Anyone who notices that they can no longer smell oregano or vanilla should consult their family doctor with this observation. © Robijn Page/Imago

2 / 13Even constipation that lasts longer should be checked out by a doctor. Chronic constipation is one of the early signs of Parkinson’s. © Iordache Magdalena/Imago

3 / 13Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are mostly unspecific, as the German Parkinson’s Association e. V. confirmed. Those affected report complaints in the neck and lumbar region as well as diffuse back pain. Especially at the beginning of Parkinson’s disease, the neck, shoulders or upper arms are primarily affected by the stiffening of the muscles – the symptoms are then often mistaken for a rheumatic or orthopedic disease. © YAY Images/Imago

4 / 13The breakdown of nerve cells in the black matter in the brain affects various parts of the body, not just motor functions. Some people with Parkinson’s notice early on that their desire to have sex is impaired. Men are particularly affected by erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Women with Parkinson’s also suffer from reduced excitability. © tommaso79/Imago

5 / 13Depressive moods can also show up in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Especially in these cases, no connection to Parkinson’s is often recognized. © tommaso79/Imago

6 / 13Sleep disorders, especially in the dream sleep phase with sometimes violent nightmares, can also indicate early on Parkinson’s disease or increase the risk of it. For people over the age of 50 who are aware of this form of sleep disorder without other causes, the risk of Parkinson’s increases to almost 80 percent in the coming years. The disruption of REM sleep in the dream sleep phase is a clear early symptom of Parkinson’s. © Monkey Business 2/Imago

7 / 13Some of those affected notice that their typeface is getting smaller – this can also be an indication of Parkinson’s disease. © YAY Images/Imago

8 / 13Outsiders or relatives sometimes notice that some of those affected speak more quietly than usual, especially in direct conversations. This can also be a sign of developing Parkinson’s disease. © Zoonar.com/Dasha Petrenko/Imago

9 / 13One of the most well-known and typical symptoms of Parkinson’s is shaking (tremor) in one or both hands. It is not uncommon for those affected to have to support and hold their trembling hand with their second hand. The tremor can also be seen in the legs – initially only in certain situations, such as when running or climbing stairs. The trembling of the hands is often evident when writing or gripping objects. © Astrid08/Imago

10 / 13The lack of exercise, so-called akinesia, is one of the typical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Movements are slowed down or happen randomly, so reaching for the glass can also result in the contents being unintentionally spilled. © Astrid08/Imago

11 / 13Increased muscle tone, so-called rigor, is a typical sign of Parkinson’s. This symptom causes the muscles to be stiff and tense, even though there is no conscious effort. Rigor can also be brought on by stress, anxiety, or muscle injuries. Rigor in Parkinson’s often takes the form of a hunched posture with arms bent. © Zoonar.com/Yuri Arcurs peopleimages.com/Imago

12 / 13Difficulty swallowing, so-called dysphagia, is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Direct signs are then the frequent swallowing of one’s own saliva or certain foods and drinks, frequent clearing of the throat or coughing up to coughing fits, difficult breathing after swallowing, increased salivation and a lump in the throat. Indirect signs of dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease may be delayed: dry skin, especially on the hands, weight and fluid loss, heartburn and belching, increased body temperature, bronchitis, and pneumonia. © Cavan Images/Imago

13 / 13Some people suffering from Parkinson’s develop a so-called ointment face, a greasy, shiny face as a result of increased sebum production in the skin. © YAY Images/Imago

Parkinson’s is a neurological disease of the brain in which there is a breakdown of nerve cells in the black substance (substantia nigra) and an associated lack of dopamine. The substantia nigra is a large nuclear complex in the midbrain that plays a central role in motor function. The messenger substance dopamine affects certain areas of the brain and thus influences muscle function and movements. The death of the nerve cells means that movement is impaired in those affected and, among other things, the well-known symptom of trembling of the hands and legs at rest, the so-called tremor, occurs. This is also often associated with difficulties in movement (akinesia) and muscle stiffness (rigor). Akinesis reduces, slows down, or makes movements random. This means that patients find it difficult to start or stop a targeted movement German Parkinson Association e. V. In addition, the main symptom Rigor is characterized by a persistent and involuntary muscle tension or increased muscle tone. This is particularly noticeable in the flexor muscles, which explains the typical appearance of the bent-over posture with bent arms in Parkinson’s patients.

Parkinson’s Symptoms: More Than Just Motor and Movement Problems

More than 200 years ago, in 1817, the English doctor James Parkinson (1755-1824) first described symptoms of the so-called “shaking sickness”. Medical professionals now know that the signs and symptoms of the neurological disease are much more complex and go beyond slow movements (akinesia), muscle stiffness (rigor) and tremors (tremor). Parkinson’s announces itself long before.

Parkinson’s Symptoms: Early signs, such as constipation, are nonspecific

A nonspecific symptom of Parkinson’s can be not only chronic constipation. One Study under the direction of Prof. Dr. medical Christoph JG Lang was able to prove that olfactory disorders in Parkinson’s also occur in the early stages of the disease. A form of dementia also indicates an existing Parkinson’s disease. The older Parkinson’s patients are and the longer they have lived with the disease, the greater the likelihood that they will also develop dementia in addition to Parkinson’s.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.