Early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s
The first signs and what you should watch for
Welcome back to Parkinson’s Pharos! Whether you are living with Parkinson’s, you are a caregiver caring for someone with Parkinson’s, or a healthcare professional, here you will find accessible and easy to understand information and resources.
One of the most common questions we receive is about the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's. Recognizing these early signs can lead to timely diagnosis and effective management, and help maintain an active and fulfilling life.
The puzzle of early Parkinson’s symptoms
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing Parkinson's disease early is that its first signs are often mild and can be easily mistaken for other common conditions. Many people experience what is called a "prodromal phase”.
What is the prodromal phase of Parkinson’s disease?
The prodromal phase is a period before the more classic motor signs (movement symptoms), like tremor (shaking), appear. During the prodromal phase non-motor (non-movement) symptoms may appear years, sometimes even decades, before a Parkinson’s diagnosis is made. These early non-motor symptoms are very nonspecific and can include things like constipation, loss of sense of smell (hyposmia), sleep problems (especially acting out dreams, known as REM sleep behavior disorder), and even depression or anxiety. For example, acting out dreams (moving, talking, or even yelling while asleep) can appear 12 to 14 years before motor symptoms.
Why do symptoms get missed?
There is not a single test like a blood test or brain scan that can confirm Parkinson's, especially in its initial stages. The diagnosis is based on a doctor's careful examination of your medical history and a physical examination.
Furthermore, Parkinson's symptoms can look very similar to those of other neurological conditions or even side effects from certain medications, often leading to wrong diagnoses. For these reasons, patients are usually diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years after the first symptoms appear. This is the average time to diagnosis. Some patients are diagnosed earlier, and other later.
Knowing the earliest Parkinson’s signs can make a real difference! So let’s see which are the most common early non-motor and motor symptoms.
Early non-motor symptoms
Many people experience non-motor (not related to movement) symptoms, long before any changes in movement become obvious. These can be mild and might include:
Loss of sense of smell (anosmia), often occurring years before other symptoms.
Feelings of depression or anxiety are common and can occur before movement issues.
Sleep problems: These can include restless sleep, nightmares, and acting out dreams. This means one might talk, move, or even fall out of bed while dreaming. It can appear years before other symptoms.
Constipation: Having infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools is a common early non-motor symptom. Some studies have identified it as the most common early symptom.
Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness or loss of energy that is not improving by rest.
Hypophonia: Voice might become softer.
Urinary issues like needing to urinate frequently, especially at night, or experiencing urine leakage.
Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up. It can lead to dizziness, lightheadness, or even fainting.
Early motor symptoms
In the early stages of Parkinson’s, motor (movement-related) symptoms may be mild and often affect only one side of the body. The motor symptoms are barely noticeable in the beginning and typically appear later in the disease. These early motor signs can include:
Tremor (shaking): This is often one of the first noticeable signs, usually starting as a rhythmic shaking in a finger, hand, or toe, when at rest. The tremor may decrease or disappear when actively using the limb. It is important to remember that not everyone with Parkinson's has a tremor.
Slowed movement (bradykinesia): Everyday tasks, like getting dressed or showering, take much longer. This is a main symptom required for a Parkinson's diagnosis.
Muscle stiffness (rigidity): Muscles in any part of the body might feel stiff or tense, which can lead to pain and make movement difficult.
Changes in handwriting: Handwriting becomes smaller and more cramped.
Loss of automatic movements: Automatic movements like blinking, smiling, or natural arm swinging while walking, may decrease.
Who should I see if I am worried?
If you are concerned about possible Parkinson's symptoms, your first step should always be to consult your primary healthcare provider. They will listen to your concerns and may then refer you to a movement disorder specialist, a neurologist with specialized training in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
Due to the many different and often non-specific early symptoms, people may initially see other specialists. For instance, stiffness or pain might lead them to an orthopedic or rheumatologist, or psychological changes might lead to a mental health professional.
Why an early diagnosis matters
It is important to remember that while these early signs and symptoms can suggest Parkinson's disease, they can also be caused by other conditions. A medical examination can help understand the cause of your symptoms and guide you towards appropriate treatment options. An early diagnosis allows for:
Timely intervention.
Good control of symptoms.
Maintenance of your independence.
This article provides a general overview of early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are concerned about your health, please consult a healthcare professional.
Learn more in our full article on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease here.
Read the personal story of Michael, a YOPD patient. His wife describes the first symptoms he was experiencing here.
Welcome back to Parkinson’s Pharos! Whether you are living with Parkinson’s, you are a caregiver caring for someone with Parkinson’s, or a healthcare professional, here you will find accessible and easy to understand information and resources.
One of the most common questions we receive is about the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's. Recognizing these early signs can lead to timely diagnosis and effective management, and help maintain an active and fulfilling life.
The puzzle of early Parkinson’s symptoms
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing Parkinson's disease early is that its first signs are often mild and can be easily mistaken for other common conditions. Many people experience what is called a "prodromal phase”.
What is the prodromal phase of Parkinson’s disease?
The prodromal phase is a period before the more classic motor signs (movement symptoms), like tremor (shaking), appear. During the prodromal phase non-motor (non-movement) symptoms may appear years, sometimes even decades, before a Parkinson’s diagnosis is made. These early non-motor symptoms are very nonspecific and can include things like constipation, loss of sense of smell (hyposmia), sleep problems (especially acting out dreams, known as REM sleep behavior disorder), and even depression or anxiety. For example, acting out dreams (moving, talking, or even yelling while asleep) can appear 12 to 14 years before motor symptoms.
Why do symptoms get missed?
There is not a single test like a blood test or brain scan that can confirm Parkinson's, especially in its initial stages. The diagnosis is based on a doctor's careful examination of your medical history and a physical examination.
Furthermore, Parkinson's symptoms can look very similar to those of other neurological conditions or even side effects from certain medications, often leading to wrong diagnoses. For these reasons, patients are usually diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years after the first symptoms appear. This is the average time to diagnosis. Some patients are diagnosed earlier, and other later.
Knowing the earliest Parkinson’s signs can make a real difference! So let’s see which are the most common early non-motor and motor symptoms.
Early non-motor symptoms
Many people experience non-motor (not related to movement) symptoms, long before any changes in movement become obvious. These can be mild and might include:
Loss of sense of smell (anosmia), often occurring years before other symptoms.
Feelings of depression or anxiety are common and can occur before movement issues.
Sleep problems: These can include restless sleep, nightmares, and acting out dreams. This means one might talk, move, or even fall out of bed while dreaming. It can appear years before other symptoms.
Constipation: Having infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools is a common early non-motor symptom. Some studies have identified it as the most common early symptom.
Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness or loss of energy that is not improving by rest.
Hypophonia: Voice might become softer.
Urinary issues like needing to urinate frequently, especially at night, or experiencing urine leakage.
Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up. It can lead to dizziness, lightheadness, or even fainting.
Early motor symptoms
In the early stages of Parkinson’s, motor (movement-related) symptoms may be mild and often affect only one side of the body. The motor symptoms are barely noticeable in the beginning and typically appear later in the disease. These early motor signs can include:
Tremor (shaking): This is often one of the first noticeable signs, usually starting as a rhythmic shaking in a finger, hand, or toe, when at rest. The tremor may decrease or disappear when actively using the limb. It is important to remember that not everyone with Parkinson's has a tremor.
Slowed movement (bradykinesia): Everyday tasks, like getting dressed or showering, take much longer. This is a main symptom required for a Parkinson's diagnosis.
Muscle stiffness (rigidity): Muscles in any part of the body might feel stiff or tense, which can lead to pain and make movement difficult.
Changes in handwriting: Handwriting becomes smaller and more cramped.
Loss of automatic movements: Automatic movements like blinking, smiling, or natural arm swinging while walking, may decrease.
Who should I see if I am worried?
If you are concerned about possible Parkinson's symptoms, your first step should always be to consult your primary healthcare provider. They will listen to your concerns and may then refer you to a movement disorder specialist, a neurologist with specialized training in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
Due to the many different and often non-specific early symptoms, people may initially see other specialists. For instance, stiffness or pain might lead them to an orthopedic or rheumatologist, or psychological changes might lead to a mental health professional.
Why an early diagnosis matters
It is important to remember that while these early signs and symptoms can suggest Parkinson's disease, they can also be caused by other conditions. A medical examination can help understand the cause of your symptoms and guide you towards appropriate treatment options. An early diagnosis allows for:
Timely intervention.
Good control of symptoms.
Maintenance of your independence.
This article provides a general overview of early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are concerned about your health, please consult a healthcare professional.
Learn more in our full article on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease here.
Read the personal story of Michael, a YOPD patient. His wife describes the first symptoms he was experiencing here.