Parkinson’s disease is characterized by its most apparent symptom of tremors, but the disease is much more complex than just the loss of control of body movements.

The early warning signs of Parkinson’s initially manifest themselves as changes in behavior, mood, and body functions. Identifying these early warning signals can lead to diagnosis and treatment of the disease at an early stage.

1. Sleep Disturbances

Research has shown that one of the most common sleep disturbances in early-stage Parkinson’s is a condition called REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

In this disorder, the person acts out vivid dreams that can range from subtle hand movements to violent thrashing and yelling. It is thought that RBD is caused by damage to the area of the brain stem that controls REM sleep, and that it may develop many years before the onset of other Parkinson’s symptoms.

2. Loss of Sense of Smell

One of the less known early warning signals of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of sense of smell. It occurs due to the degeneration of the neurons that are responsible for the sense of smell and is present in up to 90% of Parkinson’s cases.

Loss of sense of smell can be easily detected by administering a smell test.

3. Constipation

Constipation is another common early warning sign of Parkinson’s.

Studies have shown that patients with Parkinson’s have abnormal gut motility, and this can occur in the early stages of the disease, even before motor symptoms become apparent. Constipation, in conjunction with other non-motor symptoms, can be a helpful indicator for targeting patients for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

4. Depression and Anxiety

It is not uncommon for people with Parkinson’s to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, even years before the onset of motor symptoms.

Depression and anxiety can be caused by a combination of factors, including the physical changes in the brain caused by Parkinson’s, medication side effects, and the stress of living with a chronic illness. Identifying and treating depression and anxiety can improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients.

5. Fatigue and Energy Loss

People with Parkinson’s may feel tired and experience a loss of energy, even when they have had adequate sleep.

This feeling of exhaustion or fatigue often occurs due to the body using up a lot of energy in the brain to control the motor functions associated with Parkinson’s.

6. Tremors and Shaking

While tremors and shaking are the most obvious and well-known symptoms of Parkinson’s, they are often a late-stage symptom of the disease.

The tremors are caused by loss of function of the basal ganglia in the brain, which controls voluntary movement.

7. Speech and Swallowing Difficulties

Early-stage Parkinson’s patients may experience difficulty with speech articulation, pronunciation, and volume.

Along with speech difficulties, patients may also experience difficulty in swallowing, leading to a choking hazard and other health complications.

8. Loss of Coordination and Balance

People with Parkinson’s disease have low Dopamine levels that are responsible for the regulation of movements.

With diminishing dopamine levels, the body loses the ability to coordinate and balance movements, leading to clumsiness, weakness, and stiffness.

9. Cognitive Changes

As Parkinson’s disease advances, people with Parkinson’s may experience cognitive changes, such as difficulty with decision-making, memory problems, language problems, and other problems related to thinking.

These issues can occur due to the deregulation of dopamine in the brain, causing damage to the areas that control cognitive skills.

10. Difficulty Performing daily Routine Tasks

Difficulty performing daily routine tasks is a common symptom of Parkinson’s that occurs even in the early stages of the disease. Mundane tasks, such as brushing teeth or buttoning buttons, may become increasingly difficult to complete.

In some cases, patients may require assistance to complete such tasks.