Parkinson’s disease (PD) impacts the central nervous system and results in a multitude of challenging symptoms. This disease progressively worsens and can affect the individual’s day-to-day activities and tasks, in turn impacting the patients quality of life. Medications and treatments can help to assist with symptom management; for example, Austedo XR medication for PD. The sooner the disease is caught, the sooner a diagnosis is received and treatment can ensue. Read on to learn Parkinson’s early signs and symptoms:

1. Muscle stiffness

Trying to relax may become quite challenging as Parkinson’s causes muscles to become rigid and stiff. Some describe it as a tightness in their limbs and it can occur in one or both sides of the body. This symptom can contribute to aches and pains in the impacted muscles or joints, and it can have a negative effect on sleep quality.

2. Tremors 

A tremor is often the initial red flag of Parkinson’s, as well as the most recognizable sign. As it begins, you may experience a slight shaking that starts in the finger or hand. Over time, this tremor may progress to more pronounced trembling that spreads to other areas, like the face, neck, legs, jaw, and arms. Eventually, this can impact daily tasks like eating, tying shoes, writing, and more, making them difficult or nearly impossible.

3. Fatigue

Parkinson’s results in unpredictable energy levels and fatigue. One day you might feel refreshed and energized, and others you may feel so low that simple tasks are draining. If a nap or a good night’s rest isn’t alleviating your exhaustion and you are chronically tired, this may be an early sign of Parkinson’s believed to occur due to chemical changes in the brain. This fatigue isn’t just physical—it can also appear as mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

4. Decreased mobility

As a result of the rigidity and stiffness that Parkinson’s causes, one will experience a decrease in their mobility. Their range of motion may become limited, getting up out of a chair will be more challenging, walking may become shuffling, and so on.

5. Loss of automatic reminders

Parkinson’s impacts the brain’s automatic reminders, including swinging your arms while walking and remembering to stand up straight. As such, your walking may appear very stiff without the normal swinging of the arms, as it is an unconscious movement our brain does for us. As for posture, you may develop stooped or rounded shoulders, forward lean of the head, and so on, causing you to appear hunched over. You may find yourself having to actively remind yourself or ask a loved one to remind you.