Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease directly attacks the central nervous system. You might first notice symptoms after a tremor, or dyskinesia, develops. Parkinson’s progressively worsens overtime, so once symptoms arise, many patients go to the doctor to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan. There is no cure, but the treatments and medications available can help with symptoms, such as Austedo XR that helps with dyskinesia. Catching Parkinson’s early on can help slow symptom progression as well as help you manage the disease better—here are some early signs to watch out for: 1. Dyskinesia Dyskinesia, or a tremor, is typically one of the first signs people notice of Parkinson’s and is the most characteristic symptom of the disease. Dyskinesia causes uncontrollable muscle movements that normally begin as slight shaking in areas of the body, like the fingers or hand, and it can progress to more severe shaking. Other areas of the body may also become impacted with tremors over time, it can extend to the face and neck, legs, jaw, and arms. These tremors, especially when they become more severe, can make it challenging to hold items like utensils—eventually, the patient may not be able to feed themself. 2. Muscle stiffness If your body has been feeling inflexible and stiff, and daily tasks like tying your shoes, writing, and turning over in bed feel more challenging to complete, this could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease.