What are the early signs of Parkinson’s disease? My spouse was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s after noticing a slight thumb tremor, but we are wondering if we missed any other early warning signs.

Recognizing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is challenging because the symptoms are often subtle or resemble symptoms associated with other health conditions. As a result, early signs can be overlooked, dismissed or misdiagnosed.

Parkinson’s disease, which is estimated to affect more than one million people in the U.S., is a degenerative disorder that occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons die or become impaired. This happens in the part of the brain that controls movement, which can cause tremors, stiffness and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.

The symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. The progression of symptoms varies from one person to another. Some individuals with Parkinson’s become severely disabled, while others may experience only minor motor disruptions.

While the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, scientists believe genetics and environmental factors such as exposure to certain toxins may play a key role. Most individuals with Parkinson’s develop the disease around age 60 or older. In addition, men are more likely to develop the disease than are women.

Early Warning Signs

It is difficult to diagnose Parkinson's disease. For most patients, a neurologist will do an examination and evaluate a combination of warning signs. Although there is no specific test available that alone can confirm Parkinson’s, the physician may order a DaTscan or Syn-One Test to help support a diagnosis or rule out other conditions. Although each patient’s condition varies, here are some of the key signs and symptoms.

Restless sleeping: Talking in your sleep, sleepwalking or acting out your dreams by kicking or jerking may indicate a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder which is one of the strongest and earliest pre-diagnostic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Loss of smell: Not being able to smell certain foods very well is an early symptom that occurs in around 70% to 90% of Parkinson’s patients.

Constipation: Problems with digestion and bowel movements are an early sign of Parkinson’s which can occur up to 20 years before the disease is diagnosed.

Changes in handwriting: Writing may become more difficult, and your handwriting may become smaller than it was previously.

Soft voice: According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 89% of people with Parkinson’s experience speech and voice disorders. This sign often first appears as a lower volume, meaning that you speak more softly.

Tremors: Slight shaking or tremors in fingers, thumbs, hands or chin is the most common and recognizable outward sign of Parkinson’s disease. The tremor usually happens at rest and may disappear when you move the extremity. However, by the time tremors start, the brain may have already lost more than half of its dopamine-producing cells.

Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease can slow movements, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk or you may drag your feet when walking. It may also be difficult to get out of a chair.

Masked Face: The muscles in the face experience the same gradual stiffening as in the rest of the body, which results in a lack of smiling and facial expressions.

Impaired posture and balance: Stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand as well as balance problems can all be early signs of Parkinson’s.

Having these symptoms does not automatically indicate that an individual has Parkinson’s disease. However, if you are experiencing any symptoms and are over age 60, you should consider talking with your doctor. Early detection leads to earlier treatment, which can improve a person’s overall quality of life.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.  Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product.  These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics.  Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.