Does Your Loved One Have These Telltale Signs of Parkinson's Disease?

Because some famous people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), like Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, and former President George W. H. Bush, have publicly shared about their condition, you may be aware of the most common signs of PD, like uncontrollable tremors and twitches. 

However, PD affects everyone differently and doesn’t always include random movements. Our neurologists at Advanced Medical Care in Brooklyn and Queens, New York, have extensive experience diagnosing and treating all types of movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Because we know that the sooner you seek treatment for PD symptoms, the better your chances are of managing them and living a full and active life. We want to spread the word about the lesser-known signs of Parkinson’s disease.

Motor skills problems

Parkinson’s disease occurs when brain cells that produce dopamine die or stop functioning. Since dopamine is one of the main neurotransmitters that coordinates the muscle and nerve cells that enable movement, the hallmark signs of PD are motor skill problems. It’s also why PD is classified as a movement disorder. The best-known motor skill symptoms are easily detected and are the ones most people associate with PD.

Slow movements and reactions

Since PD slows muscle movement and response time, look for signs like less arm swinging when walking, lack of facial expression, less blinking, and delayed reactions.

Rigidity

PD is known to cause muscle stiffness.

Tremors

Classic PD tremors are rhythmic and involuntary. They could affect a single finger, the hand, or the whole limb, and are most noticeable at rest. 

Behavioral and cognitive changes

PD symptoms aren’t isolated to physical movement; they can also alter the mind. Look for signs such as:

• Depression
• Uncontrollable worry
• Apathy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Inability to multitask
• Paranoia
• Delusions

If your loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, call us to schedule an evaluation. These symptoms can point to mental issues that may not be related to Parkinson’s disease. 

Bodily functions

Some PD symptoms are invisible to the casual onlooker, but you may notice them if you live with your loved one. These include:

• Excessive sweating
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Low libido in women
• Low blood pressure, which can often lead to dizziness and/or fainting

These are signs that PD may be affecting their autonomic nervous system.

Physical symptoms

In addition to motor skill problems and autonomic disorders, PD can lead to an array of physical symptoms like:

• Dry skin
• Pain (localized or pervasive)
• Drooling
• Insomnia
• Daytime drowsiness
• Restless legs syndrome
• Slurred speech
• Low-volume voice
• Monotone speech
• Loss of smell
• Choking/swallowing problems
• Vision changes
• Difficulty reading

Again, each of these symptoms alone may indicate other medical conditions, so resist the temptation to self-diagnose. Although there’s no definitive lab test to confirm Parkinson’s disease, our team draws on years of education, experience, and research to rule out other conditions.

If you suspect your loved one may have Parkinson’s disease, schedule an appointment with our PD specialists as soon as possible. Contact us in Brooklyn or Queens, New York, or book online.