Parkinson’s disease can feel overwhelming, especially with its subtle early symptoms and unknown origins.
We turned to Leon Meytin, MD, a movement disorder neurologist with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, to break it down. Here’s what you need to know, how to spot it early and why you can stay optimistic after a diagnosis.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects coordination and movement.
The exact cause of Parkinson’s isn’t fully understood, but experts believe it’s likely a mix of genetic risk factors and environmental influences like pesticides, diet and exercise.
One of the hallmark features of Parkinson’s disease is a lack of sufficient dopamine production in the brain – a critical chemical for many functions in the brain and body.
“Specifically, dopamine in the middle of the brain (in the basal ganglia) helps nerve cells talk to each other,” says Dr. Meytin. “Without enough dopamine, that part of the brain doesn’t function well, leading to many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.”
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6 early signs of Parkinson’s.
The early signs of Parkinson’s disease can be easy to miss.
“Before the physical symptoms appear, patients often experience a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms that can show up years earlier,” explains Dr. Meytin.
These early signs may include:
- Constipation.
- Changes in the sense of smell.
- Handwriting gets smaller.
- Sleep disturbances, like yelling or acting out dreams.
- Tremor in a finger.
- Slightly stooped posture.
“Many of these symptoms can mimic other conditions or even normal aging,” adds Dr. Meytin. “For example, the shuffling gait (a combination of stooped posture and short strides) is often mistaken for back issues, neuropathy or arthritis.”
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Does a family history increase your risk?
Not necessarily.
“Parkinson’s is rarely hereditary unless it starts very early, such as before age 40,” says Dr. Meytin. “The chance of a child developing Parkinson’s if their parent has it is only slightly higher than average and generally not something we worry about.”
That said, researchers are uncovering more genes linked to Parkinson’s, and genetic testing is now available to help assess risk.
Parkinson’s is treatable.
Parkinson’s symptoms can range from mild to severe, and no two patients are the same.
“Know your body — if something feels off, speak up,” says Dr. Meytin. “Aging alone isn’t a reason to have Parkinson’s-like symptoms.”
If you notice early signs of Parkinson’s, see a movement disorder neurologist. These specialists are board-certified neurologists with extra training in conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
“While it’s natural to feel anxious about a possible Parkinson’s diagnosis, it’s a very treatable disorder in the right hands,” Dr. Meytin explains. “We have many effective treatments available and exciting new options on the horizon. There’s every reason to feel hopeful.”
