How to identify the early signs of Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. It affects the nervous system, producing mechanisms of damage and subsequent degeneration of the neurons located in the substantia nigra.

The average age of onset is 60 years, and the incidence increases significantly with age. However, About 5% to 10% of people with Parkinson’s disease have early onset, beginning before age 50.

Some early-onset cases are linked to mutations in specific genes, such as the parkin gene. People with one or more close relatives with Parkinson’s are at higher risk of developing the disease.

Nevertheless, the total risk is still just 2% to 5%, unless the family has a known genetic mutation for the disease. It is estimated that between 15 and 25 percent of people with Parkinson’s know that they have a relative with the disease.

In very rare cases, parkinsonian symptoms may appear in people before the age of 20.. This disease is known as juvenile parkinsonism. It usually begins with dystonia and bradykinesia, and symptoms often improve with levodopa medication.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

The first description of the disease was made by the doctor James Parkinson in 1817. This British doctor observed six patients with the typical symptoms of the disease. He called it “agitating paralysis.” Subsequently, It was the famous French neurologist Charcot who gave it the name Parkinson’s disease..

As we said at the beginning, the disease affects the nervous system, producing the degeneration of the neurons in the substantia nigra. These neurons produce dopamine. This neurotransmitter is a fundamental chemical substance for the body’s movement to be carried out correctly.

When the brain does not have enough dopamine to maintain good control of movement, messages about how and when to move are transmitted incorrectly. The typical motor symptoms of the disease then gradually appear.

It has also been seen that other neurons are affected in Parkinson’s disease.. Therefore, other neurotransmitters such as serotonin, noradrenaline and acetylcholine are also affected. This would explain other non-motor symptoms of the disease.

Early onset Parkinson’s

When we think of someone with Parkinson’s disease, we visualize an older person with tremors in their hands. He walks very slowly with his back slightly hunched. He seems to have a certain degree of body rigidity. It is true that this image is not far from reality.

However, tremor, stiffness, and slow walking are not the only symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In addition to these and other motor symptoms, There is a wide range of non-motor symptoms.

These non-motor symptoms are related to cognitive, behavioral and emotional changes. They can cause serious difficulties in the daily lives of patients.

On the other hand, it is not uncommon for the motor and non-motor symptoms typical of Parkinson’s to manifest in very young people.. Although the disease is more common in older people, it is not exclusive to them.

The first symptoms of early-onset Parkinson’s, also known as juvenile Parkinson’s, may be precisely the least typical, those that are not motors. Because the symptoms of Parkinson’s are not exclusive to this disease, but are shared with other pathologies, the diagnosis is sometimes complicated.

13 signs of early onset Parkinson’s

There are a series of symptoms that can alert us to the early onset of Parkinson’s disease.. There are more signs, but let’s focus on these seven.

Sleep disorders. The most common disorders are insomnia (difficulties sleeping), restless legs syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder.Depression. It is usually one of the first symptoms to appear and in fact is considered an early indicator of the disease.Other mood disorders. In addition to depressive symptoms, anxiety and apathy are very common. These symptoms can influence the desire to seek help and solutions.Cognitive alterations. Many people with early-onset Parkinson’s report that they have difficulty doing more than two tasks at a time. Other functions may also be altered in early-onset Parkinson’s, such as executive functioning, slowing of thinking, attention and concentration problems, memory problems and dementia.Shaking. Although it usually starts in the hands, in some patients it starts in the jaw or one of the feet. The most characteristic thing about this tremor is that it occurs at rest.Bradykinesia. It is a gradual loss of spontaneous movement. It manifests itself with a general slowing of movement. It is one of the most disabling and frustrating symptoms.Fatigue. In early-onset Parkinson’s there is a feeling of being tired all the time, without physical strength at all.Constipation. Many people with Parkinson’s disease experience constipation, mainly because their digestive system works more slowly.Bladder problems. Parkinson’s disease can cause bladder problems including the inability to hold urine or having problems urinating.Pain. Some patients experience pain, either in specific areas or throughout the body.Sexual dysfunction. In some cases, patients notice a decrease in sexual desire or sexual performance.Changes in blood pressure. Some people may feel dizzy when they stand up due to a drop in blood pressure.Smell dysfunction. Some patients have problems with their sense of smell and difficulties identifying some odors or differentiating between them.

Living with early-onset Parkinson’s

Early-onset Parkinson’s disease can have negative effects on a person’s daily life and future plans. Some tips that can help the person in this situation are:

Learn about Parkinson’s disease and explain to friends and loved ones what it entails. Establish contact with a team of health professionals. Seek advice if the diagnosis affects your mental health. Attend local or online support groups to share advice and experiences with other people with Parkinson’s.Seek support from loved ones.Eat healthy foods to prevent constipation and increase general well-being.Do physical and mental exercise.

As we have seen, Parkinson’s is not a disease exclusive to “older people.” There is a type of early-onset Parkinson’s that can be very disconcerting. These seven signs can help you go to a specialist to make an early diagnosis of the disease.

You might be interested…