Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease - Causes & Treatment

Trembling or involuntary muscle movement of the hands, arms, legs, or head may be a sign of Parkinson's disease in the elderly, among many other underlying causes. While it may be one of the leading Parkinson's disease symptoms in the ageing population, it may not be a definitive sign of Parkinson's disease. There are many other early signs and symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. Trembling and shaking may be confused with a less severe condition called essential tremor.

Tremors are common during the onset of many diseases in the elderly, but Parkinson's disease may also show signs of stiffness slow muscle movement and reduced agility. At Hinduja Hospital, we specialize in providing exceptional comprehensive treatment and care to our elderly patients suffering from a broad spectrum of ailments, including age-related illnesses such as Parkinson's disease.

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder observed in the elderly population, which occurs when the nerve cells in the brain do not produce enough dopamine. Parkinson's disease may progressively worsen over time, leading to increased disability.

What are the Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

The onset of trembling may characterize Parkinson's disease, but there may also be other Parkinson's disease symptoms, such as:

• Changes in handwriting Slowed movement
• Muscle stiffness
• Impaired balance and posture
• Loss of automatic movements
• Changes in speech and slurring

The signs of trembling in Parkinson's may initially appear on one side of the body, commonly in the hands, and then progress to the other side of the body.

What are the Causes of Parkinson's Disease?

In old age, nerve endings in the brain, called neurons, start breaking down and dying. Many Parkinson's disease symptoms may be due to the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells, leading to irregular brain activity, loss of movement coordination, and other Parkinson's symptoms. Specific genes and environmental factors have also been identified as factors influencing the onset of Parkinson's disease. Additionally, men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women.

Parkinson's Disease vs Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is also a neurological disorder that may cause involuntary shaking and trembling of the hands and arms. It is not a life-threatening condition but may lead to a disability. Tremors in such a condition may start in the hand and spread to affect the voice and head.

There may be some differences between tremors associated with essential tremors and Parkinson's disease, which may include the following:

• Trembling or shaking in Parkinson's disease may be much more pronounced than in essential tremors.
• Posture problems may be present in Parkinson's disease, which may not be seen in essential tremors.
• The voice box may be affected by essential tremor, but it may not occur in Parkinson's disease.
• In the case of essential tremors, shaking may be felt more when in motion, while in the case of Parkinson's disease, trembling may occur even at rest.

For many patients, essential tremors may be experienced as mild tremors and may not interfere with daily life activities. However, any worsening symptoms of trembling should be evaluated by a doctor.

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