Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease and How to Address Them
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 3, 2022
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the brain cells that produce dopamine—a chemical messenger in the brain which helps control movement.
When the brain cannot produce enough dopamine, symptoms can appear:
- Motor (movement) symptoms include issues with balance, slowness of movement, and limb stiffness.
- Non-motor (non-movement) symptoms include anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, and others.
While a slight tremor or shaking of a finger may be the most common sign of Parkinson’s, there are 10 early signs. Some of these signs include:
- Small handwriting: a change in handwriting with cramped letters.
- Loss of Smell: not able to smell foods like bananas, dill pickles, or licorice.
- Trouble Sleeping: sudden movements during sleep, like thrashing around.
- Trouble Moving or Walking: stiffness in the body, arms, or legs. Feeling stuck to the floor.
If you or a loved one experiences more than a few of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about seeing a movement disorder specialist (a neurologist with specialized training).
The age of diagnosis, progression, and symptoms are unique to every person. As the disease progresses, new symptoms may occur. With early detection, treatment and expert care, many people with Parkinson’s live longer, productive lives.
While there is no cure, medications and various treatments can help. Exercise helps people with Parkinson’s maintain balance and mobility. Building an expert care team can also maximize the quality of life. A care team can consist of a movement disorder specialist, a general neurologist, a physical and occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and others.
Resources That Work for You
The Parkinson’s Foundation is here for everyone living with and caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease.
- Use resources, including the Newly Diagnosed kit and local events that help people with Parkinson’s and care partners.
- Get empowered through the free PD Library — an extensive collection of educational tools.
- Visit Parkinson.org or call the Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for more information.
Social Security offers programs that may provide financial assistance if your Parkinson’s prevents you from working. You can learn more about the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs on their Disability Benefits page.
Please share this information with your friends and family — and post it on social media.
Social Security’s posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Tags: Disability, General Information, Social Security benefits, social security disability benefits
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Peter P.
Get well soon everyone who is suffering from any disease. In my opinion do exercise and morning walk daily. You can also search it benefits.
raja r.
this post very useful
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sanjay b.
This is great blogpost. thanks for sharing it.
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sanjay b.
This is the great article, Loved it.
i wish all the best for future articles. looking forward to see some more articles like this.
cheers !!
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Neeraj s.
nice effort am happy to read your article thanks for sharing keep up
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Kristin S.
At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. family doctor started me on KycuyuHealth Clinic Parkinson’s Disease Herbal mixture, 2 months into treatment I improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors
Sarah
Where can one buy the herbs for Parkinson’s
Monte
This is great blogpost. thanks for sharing it.
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Ajay G.
This is the great article, Loved it.
i wish all the best for future articles. looking forward to see some more articles like this.
cheers !!
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Edgar L.
I’m a 61 years old and I’m going through a lot of health issues. I’m diabetic with a few side effects and the worse thing is the neuropathy and I’m being paralyzed from it. I’m suffering from degenerative heart failure. I don’t know what keeps me alive. I had a heart attack and 3 major multiple strokes and I’m going through a chronic ischemic attack. I had to go to an open heart bypass surgery. And I think I’m having a Parkinson’s disease. What could go next? Oh I remember ssa cut my SSDI and now I don’t have anything to eat.lol lol
Ann C.
Hi, Edgar. We are sorry to hear about your condition. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Will B.
I am a male aged 60.I was diagnosed with Parkinson”s at 57. I had some symptoms for a few years before diagnosis; stiff achy right arm and ankle, right hand tremor when typing, tiredness, body shivers, falls due to tripping. I was always active, bicycle riding to/from work daily and putting in 2 to 3,000 miles on my bicycle per year. During the 2022 pandemic I came across a herbal clinic on YouTube which caught my attention .I purchased the herbal products and used them for almost 5 month as they instructed. To my greatest surprise the herbal formula has successfully got rid of my Parkinson disease .They promise me total cure of my PD but did not believe because all my life i was told there is no cure for Parkinson diseases .Am a living proof that there a cure for Parkinson,many people are still suffering due to lack of information about this disease ,contact multivitamincare.org PD treatment.
Kristin S.
At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. family doctor started me on KycuyuHealth Clinic Parkinson’s Disease Herbal mixture, 2 months into treatment I improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors.