The characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremor, rigidity and slow movements, generally begin very subtly and, therefore, are not always noticed at an earlier stage. However, over a few months or years, it is common for them to evolve and worsen, becoming increasingly evident.
The ideal is to try to identify the disease as early as possible, to start appropriate treatment and prevent the accelerated worsening of Parkinson’s, improving the person’s quality of life.
Whenever Parkinson’s disease is suspected, it is advisable to consult a neurologist or a geriatrician, if the patient is elderly, to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.
Main symptoms
The main signs and symptoms that may indicate Parkinson’s disease are:
1. Tremors
Tremors are one of the main features of Parkinson’s. They happen when the person is still, at rest, and improve when they make some movement.
It is most common in the hands, being a tremor with great amplitude, which imitates the movement of counting money, but it can also appear on the chin, lips, tongue and legs. It also tends to be asymmetrical, that is, on just one side of the body, but this can vary. Furthermore, it also tends to worsen in situations of stress and anxiety.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Rigidity
Muscle stiffness can also be asymmetrical or be more present in some part of the body, such as the arms or legs, giving a feeling of being stiff, preventing activities such as walking, getting dressed, opening the arms, going up or down stairs, as well as causing difficulty. to perform other movements. It is also common to have muscle pain and excessive tiredness.
3. Slow movements
It happens when there is a decrease in the range of movements and the loss of certain automatic movements, such as blinking the eyes. Thus, the agility to make quick and large movements is compromised, which makes it difficult to perform simple tasks, such as opening and closing your hands, getting dressed, writing or chewing.
Walking also becomes more drawn out, slow and with short steps, and there is also a decrease in arm swinging, which increases the risk of falls. Over time, a decrease in facial expressions, difficulty swallowing and slow writing with small letters may appear.
4. Slouched posture
Changes in posture are present in the more advanced and final stages of the disease, which begins with a more hunched posture, but, if left untreated, can progress to joint contraction and immobility.
In addition to a curved spine, other common posture changes include tilting the head, arms held in front of the body, and flexed knees and elbows.
5. Imbalance
The stiffness and slowness of the body make it difficult to control reflexes, making it difficult to balance, stand without help and maintain posture, with a high risk of falls and difficulty walking.
6. Freezing
At times, there may be a sudden blockage in initiating movements, known as freezing or freezingand it commonly happens while the person walks, talks or writes.
Other common symptoms in Parkinson’s
In addition to the symptoms mentioned, which are essential for suspecting Parkinson’s disease, there are other manifestations that are also common in the disease, such as:
- Sleep changes, such as insomnia, nightmares or sleepwalking;
- Sadness and depression;
- Dizziness;
- Difficulty smelling;
- Excessive sweating;
- Dermatitis or skin irritations;
- Intestine taken;
- Parkinson’s dementia, in which there is memory loss.
These symptoms may be present in greater or lesser intensity, depending on the development of the disease in each person.
What to do if you suspect Parkinson’s
In the presence of symptoms that make you suspect Parkinson’s, it is important to consult a neurologist, or a geriatrician, so that a complete clinical evaluation can be carried out, with analysis of symptoms, physical examination and tests to identify whether there is another health problem that may be present. causing these symptoms, since there is no specific test for Parkinson’s disease.
If the doctor confirms the diagnosis, he will also recommend medications that help reduce symptoms, especially tremors and slowing of movements, such as Levodopa, for example.
Furthermore, it is very important to undergo physiotherapy and other activities that stimulate the patient, such as occupational therapy and regular physical activity, to maintain a more independent life.
See in more detail how Parkinson’s is treated.
