Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Early Parkinson’s symptoms can be easy to overlook, such as a gentle tremor in the hand.

The early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are often mild and easy to mistake for other conditions. Many people go through what is known as the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease — an early stage where non-motor symptoms appear years before any noticeable changes in movement.

At Parkinson Pharos, we’ve gathered the most common early signs in a simple, easy-to-understand guide. In this article, you will learn:

• Which non-motor symptoms often appear early in the disease (such as loss of smell, constipation, and sleep disturbances).

• Which motor symptoms may be the first to become noticeable.

• Why these early symptoms are frequently overlooked.

• When it’s important to consult a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders.

• How early diagnosis can make a meaningful difference in long-term management.

Understanding the early symptoms helps with timely recognition and better disease management. Even though these signs do not always indicate Parkinson’s, the right guidance at the right time is essential.

👉 Read the full guide to the early symptoms here.

👉 You can also read Michalis’s personal story — a young-onset Parkinson’s patient sharing the first symptoms he experienced — here.