Parkinson's disease is a condition that targets the nerve cells in the brain that sit near the neck. It is a chronic neurological disease that is progressive. Patients eventually lose the ability to control body movements because the neurotransmitters are damaged. According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year. While most people do not experience beginning symptoms of Parkinson's until after the age of 60, about 10 percent notice signs before the age of 40.
Fatigue
The Cleveland Clinic reports that the first signs of Parkinson's disease typically are mild and often misinterpreted. The initial symptoms of the disease appear as general fatigue and an unusual sense of unease. Patients begin to get anxious easily and often experience depressed feelings.
Tremors
A light tremor often appears in the hands as patients notice their handwriting changes. The National Parkinson Foundation reports that if the tremors appear on one side and are strongest when the person is resting, that could signal an early sign of the disease. Many people have difficulty standing from a sitting position and complain of a stiff neck as their limbs tremor. They have difficulty balancing and activities seem to take longer than usual to perform. Speech becomes softer and patients often begin to forget various words or skip words in sentences.
Facial
Beginning symptoms of Parkinson's disease come on gradually. Friends and family members often notice the beginning signs of Parkinson's before the patient recognizes the subtle changes in movement and speech. They notice how stiffly the patient is moving and see the subtle tremors in the hands that the patient may believe he has under control. One of the most common symptoms recognized by others is what is referred to as a "masked face." There are little or no changes in facial expression in patients in the early stages of the disease. Eye blinking is reduced, giving the appearance of a blank stare.
Misdiagnoses
Because Parkinson's disease is such a slowly evolving condition, doctors often miss the early signs. Beginning symptoms of Parkinson's often are misdiagnosed as depression or as other degenerative diseases of the brain, reports the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors often switch medications believing the symptoms are a side effect of various medicines. Additionally, the early symptoms of Parkinson's mimic various stages of the natural aging process. Tremors are blamed on aging shakiness and stiffness often is attributed to arthritis. The stooped posture that appears as patients try to balance themselves can be seen as early signs of osteoporosis. The National Parkinson Foundation reports that when two or more symptoms are apparent, Parkinson's disease often is the cause.
