Parkinson’s Rates Expected to Rise, Early Detection is Key

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition primarily affecting older adults, causing a gradual loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells. These affected cells are the ones that help control the body’s movement, and the main symptom associated with the disease is the loss of motor control, but it can also cause issues with sleep, mental health and pain.

Currently, medical science has no known cure, resulting in the need for expanding levels of care as it progresses. Causes of the condition are unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.

A 2021 study by Canadian and Chinese medical researchers found that cases of Parkinson’s disease are expected to rise globally by 112% between by 2050, increasing from 12 million cases globally to 25.2 million.

Currently, an estimated one million people in the United States are estimated to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Medical researchers predict that will rise by up to 60%, with diagnoses expected to increase the most in people over 80. This is attributed to an expanding population of older adults.

While there may not be a cure, early discovery may help slow the progression of the disease. According to Health.com, the following eight symptoms typically occur during the early stages that can serve as warning signs:

Loss of Smell

A loss of the sense of smell is a common early symptom of Parkinson’s, and most people who develop the condition experience this.

Constipation

While this may seem like a mundane issue, frequent constipation or nausea can be an early sign of Parkinson’s, as the same chemical changes in the brain that inhibit movement also affect the muscles that control the digestive system.

Tremor

Roughly 70% to 90% of people with Parkinson’s experience tremors, typically during periods of rest or sleep, or when partly active. They usually start in the hands, and about 50% of Parkinson’s patients report experiencing tremors when their arms stretch outward. However, tremors can also occur in the lower lip, leg, or jaw, and some report feeling an internal shaking sensation in their limbs or torso that does not present visibly,

Difficulty Sleeping

While there are many, non-Parkinson’s explanations for difficulty sleeping, sudden movements in one’s sleep can be an early sign of the condition.

Changes in Handwriting

Due to the condition’s effect on motor control, smaller, more cramped handwriting is a common early symptom.

Movement Changes

Parkinson’s can cause a variety of movement changes, including slower movement, rigidity, difficulty blinking or smiling, and pain that may be confused for joint pain.

Speech Changes

Voices becoming softer, hoarser or slurred is a common feature of Parkinson’s.

Anxiety

Anxiety and depression can also be a sign that Parkinson’s is developing as a result of changes to the brain’s chemistry.

Getting a Diagnosis

Many early signs of Parkinson’s can seem like an ordinary health issue or overlap with other conditions. However, early detection is key, as access to proper treatment can potentially delay the disease’s progression.