Early onset Parkinson's Disease is a form of the disease which begins to manifest before 50 years of age. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, only 5 to 10 percent of all Parkinson's disease cases are classified as early onset. This form of the disease is often hereditary. Though early onset Parkinson's begins at a younger age, the symptoms are similar to those of classic Parkinson's disease.
Mask-like Face
One of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson's disease, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is diminished facial expression. People with early Parkinson's are often described as having mask-like faces.
Handwriting Problems
Another common symptom of early Parkinson's is changes in handwriting. Before other, more prominent symptoms occur, a person's writing may become noticeably smaller. Also, the person with early Parkinson's may have more difficulty forming words and may take longer to write. They may also lose track of what they are writing mid-sentence, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Mood Changes
People with early Parkinson's may also be irritable, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health reports that early on in Parkinson's, common related symptoms also include depression and/or difficulty sleeping.
Rigidity
A classic sign of both early onset and regular Parkinson's Disease is rigidity, or stiffness, in the muscles and joints. The Mayo Clinic reports that this rigidity commonly occurs in the arms and legs but may also be present in the neck. Rigid muscles limit a person's range of motion, which can make many movements and activities difficult.
Slow Movements
Movement in early Parkinson's may also become gradually slower. A person with Parkinson's disease may take extra time to complete most tasks. They may also "freeze" in the middle of an activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is because the Parkinson's disease process affects a person's ability to initiate movements.
Speech Problems
Early in Parkinson's, speech may be affected. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person with Parkinson's may lose volume in their speech, speaking more softly than normal. In addition, because it is harder for people with Parkinson's to initiate movements, they may find it difficult to form words and may slur their speech. They may also have trouble initiating a sentence.
Shuffling Gait
Another common sign of early Parkinson's is trouble walking. People with Parkinson's tend to have what is referred to as a shuffling gait. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke refers to this as a "festering gait," in which the person takes small, shuffling steps. Other gait-related symptoms include lack of an arm swing when walking and a tendency to lean forward.
Tremors
One of the most common symptoms of all types of Parkinson's Disease is a tremor. According to the Mayo Clinic, tremors may range in severity from a slight shaking of the hands during activity to what is termed a "pill-rolling" tremor, in which the thumb and first finger move back and forth repeatedly.
