Parkinson's Disease: Top Six Warning Signs of This Incurable Neurological Disorder

Neil Diamond, the 82-year-old singer-songwriter, revealed in a recent interview with CBS' Sunday Morning that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2018. He admitted that he was in denial for about a year or two before finally accepting his condition. He also said that it was tough for him to give up touring even though Parkinson's disease had ended his touring days.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects at least half a million Americans. However, the actual number of people affected may be higher as many remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

This progressive disease affects the central nervous system, and there is currently no cure for it. However, medication, physical therapy, and surgery can help manage the symptoms. Here are six warning signs of this neurological disorder as listed in MailOnline for early management:

Tremors

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a vital neurotransmitter that helps coordinate body movements.

Tremors, or uncontrollable movements, are a well-known sign of Parkinson's and are more likely to occur when the limbs are relaxed. While there is no cure for tremors, they can be managed with the help of specialists or Parkinson's nurses.

Slow Movements

Parkinson's disease can cause slowness of movement, or bradykinesia, which can make daily activities, such as paying for items at the shop, doing up buttons, and walking to the bus, take longer.

This can also lead to smaller movements, difficulties with swallowing and chewing, and lack of coordination. Reduced dopamine levels in the brain, which affect the way the muscles work, are the cause of slow movement in Parkinson's disease.

Rigidity or Stiffness of Muscles

According to Cleveland Clinic, Parkinson's disease frequently displays symptoms, such as lead-pipe rigidity and cogwheel stiffness. Lead-pipe rigidity is characterized by a constant, unvarying stiffness when moving a body part.

Meanwhile, cogwheel stiffness is a combination of tremor and lead-pipe rigidity, causing movements to appear jerky and stop-and-go, similar to the second hand of a mechanical clock.

Loss of Sense of Smell

As per Parkinson's UK, losing the sense of smell is a common early warning sign of Parkinson's disease, affecting 95% of those with the condition. This symptom can start years before any other symptoms develop and is caused by a smaller olfactory bulb, responsible for processing smells, in some people who have Parkinson's.

Problems in Bladder and Bowel Movements

Frequent urination during the night, also known as nocturia, and urge incontinence could be early signs of Parkinson's disease, according to Parkinson's Europe. Parkinson's affects dopamine levels, which in turn affects bladder muscles and nerve function, leading to the need to pass urine immediately and difficulty holding on.

Additionally, constipation is another symptom of the disease, caused by the slowing down of movement and rigidity, which can affect the muscles in the bowel wall.

Anxiety and Depression

Depression, anxiety, and feelings of extreme sadness for a prolonged period could be signs of Parkinson's disease, which affects dopamine levels among patients leading to tiredness and low mood. Parkinson's UK warns that being diagnosed with Parkinson's itself can be very stressful, leading to depression, worry, and anxiety.

Additionally, patients may experience loneliness and isolation, which can also increase the risk of depression. While the reasons behind depression and anxiety in Parkinson's are not fully understood, studies suggest it could be due to the drop-off in dopamine among patients.

Check out more news and information on Parkinson's Disease in Science Times.