How to identify Parkinson’s disease early

  Parkinson’s disease primarily affects a person’s ability to move, which we call motor symptoms. The value of early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease has yet to be investigated, although it has been found that prodromal symptoms such as sleep behavior disorders, loss of smell, depression and constipation may occur prior to the onset of motor symptoms. Motor symptoms remain our primary basis for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Typical motor symptoms include four aspects, with two aspects of symptoms to consider the possibility of Parkinson’s disease.  1, motor retardation is manifested as slower movements. Can’t walk fast enough to keep up with peers. In the early stage, when one limb is involved, the affected upper limb does not swing naturally when walking, but it can swing after reminding, but the swing disappears soon. Due to slow facial movements, facial expressions are dull, and smiles are unnatural when happy. Some patients feel that they cannot lift their feet when walking and their gait is dragging. Patients are often less active and sit at home without moving. The slow movement can affect all aspects of daily life, writing becomes smaller and smaller, dressing becomes difficult and often requires assistance, and turning over when sleeping can be difficult.  The tremor in Parkinson’s disease is called resting tremor, which means that the tremor occurs in the limbs when they are relaxed and quiet, and decreases or disappears when they are active. The tremor begins in one hand and gradually extends to the other limbs. The tremor worsens when angry and decreases when emotionally stable, and it may cease completely during sleep. Resting tremor is sensitive to weather changes and is also a sign of good or bad general condition.  3, muscle stiffness It refers to an increase in muscle tension. The patient himself often feels that the muscles are stiff, and the muscles cannot be relaxed as if they were tied up. There is a significant resistance when pulling the patient’s limbs, and they appear stiff. In elderly patients, muscle stiffness can cause pain in joints and muscles and is sometimes misdiagnosed as arthrosis for a long time. Sometimes hip pain can occur during standing and walking, which is due to the increased muscle tone causing obstruction of the blood supply to the nutritive vessels of the joint and decreased muscle strength, and compression of the joint by weight.  Some patients feel weak due to increased muscle tone in the lower limbs. When symptoms are limited to one limb, patients often complain of weakness in one limb and are often misdiagnosed as cerebrovascular disease.  4. Posture and balance disorders Among all Parkinson’s disease symptoms, posture and balance disorders may be the least specific manifestation, but the symptoms have the most serious impact on life. Posture and balance disorders are most common in patients with mid- to late-stage Parkinson’s disease and often lead to femur fractures due to the tendency to fall.  It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible for early diagnosis and treatment of these symptoms.