Understanding the Signs of Parkinson’s

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Unless you have dealt with it on a personal level, the average citizen may not know much about Parkinson’s disease.  What are the symptoms?  Am I at risk?  How can I protect myself and my family?  The truth is, it may be difficult to tell if someone has the condition.  There are signs that may be possible indicators and if you exhibit more than one of the following, it may be time to speak with your physician about any concerns you may have

What are signs of Parkinson’s?

  • Bouts of Shaking or Tremors- Have you detected any sort of shakes in your hands or parts of your face? When you are not standing, do you notice any shake in your legs?  These are common early warning signs of Parkinsons.
    • Shakes can be normal after rigorous exercise or following injury. They may also be brought on by certain types of medication
  • Smaller Handwriting- Can you notice a decrease in size with your penmanship? If you have seen a change in the way you write things down, for example-crowding of words together or letters are smaller to the eye, pay close attention.  A sudden alteration to handwriting is a warning sign of Parkinson’s disease,
    • It is not uncommon for writing to change as we get older. Stiffening of the muscles in our hands or diminished eyesight may contribute to this, but the change will be gradual over time.
  • Sense of Smell- Can you tell that certain aromas are not as detectable as you remember them being? A simple test can be testing the potency of scent with bananas, pickles or mustard to see if your sense of smell is in order.
    • Common afflictions such as allergies, cold or flu can affect our sense of smell, but it should return to normal once you are well.
  • Difficulty Sleeping- Have your nights of peaceful rest been replaced by hours of tossing and turning? Have you fallen out of bed due to uncontrolled sleep thrashing?  Sudden movements while sleeping may be a sign of Parkinson’s
    • The occasional restless night happens to everyone. Keep wary for consistency in this pattern of behavior.
  • Trouble Moving or Walking- Have you been faced with a new pattern of stiffness in your limbs you’re not used to? Feeling stiff in the muscles can often be alleviated by movement.  If unexplained stiffness persists, it could be a warning sign of Parkinson’s.  Pay attention especially to the discomfort in your shoulder and hip joints.  Warning signs have been known to include a feeling of being “stuck to the floor”.
    • An injury to the arm or shoulder may carry stiffness and this is normal. Range of motion and full function may be inhibited until fully healed.  Arthritis may also be the root of something like this.
  • Constipation- Are regular bowel movements becoming a noticeable strain in your daily routine? Difficulty moving bowels is a possible indicator of Parkinson’s Disease and should be discussed with your doctor
    • A diet lacking in water or fiber has been known to create bathroom visit difficulties. There are also medications that can bring on bouts of constipation.  If your diet is well balanced and medication does not appear to be a possible reason for keeping regular bowel movements, this absolutely should be brought up to your daughter.
  • Soft or Lowered Voice- Has it been brought to your attention your voice is very soft when you feel you may be speaking at a normal volume? Can you detect a degree of hoarse when you speak?  A noticeable change in vocal patterns is something to speak to your physician about.
    • A chest cold or illness can certainly alter one’s voice, but you should sound normal again once you have shaken the ailment.
  • Dizziness or Fainting- Does standing up leave you with periods of disorientation or feeling dizzy? This sensation along with fainting may be indicators of low blood pressure and could be connected to Parkinson/s
    • It is normal to experience the feeling of dizziness occasionally during standing, but any sort of over occurrence needs to be brought up to your doctor.
  • Stooping or Hunching Over- Has your posture begun to take on a bit of a slope? If loved ones have noticed a sudden change in the way you stand or have developed a lean/slouch, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s
    • Pain from an injury or illness may affect how straight we stand up. There are also bone related conditions that may be to blame as well.

Each and every one of the Home Care Professionals at A-1 Home care is skilled in compassion.  We understand that while you may wish to personally care for your elderly loved one, it may not be possible every hour of every day.  We are here to not only help make sure your family is cared for but to give you peace of mind knowing they are safe and not alone.  Our Parkinson Caregivers are knowledgeable and helpful in the areas of physical therapy, mental stimulation, incontinence and more.  If your loved one is going through fatigue, sleep disruption, mood changes or depression that are commonly associated with Parkinson’s, our caregivers can offer a calm and caring hand.  Call us today at (949) 650-3800 or (562) 929-8400 to learn more.  We are proud to help aid the cities of Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach and surrounding communities.

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