A degenerative disease of the nervous system, Parkinson's is often associated with symptoms like tremors and muscle rigidity. However, the disorder also causes symptoms early on, and detecting these is essential to getting the proper diagnosis. While there is no cure, early diagnosis can have a great impact on a person's quality of life by ensuring they can find the right treatment. Here are a few early signs that signal further inspection is required. 

4 Early Symptoms of Parkinson's

1. Problems Sleeping

Restless sleep can result in talking, twitching, and insomnia. All of these issues can be caused by a wide range of situations and disorders, but they're also common during the early stages of Parkinson's. 

They occur because the condition affects the part of the brain that normally causes paralysis in the body when a person is asleep. As this area is damaged, a person will usually become much more active when sleeping. 

2. Smaller Handwriting

Coordination impairment is a hallmark of this disease, as it can impact muscle control. The effects on a person's fine motor skills can also cause a person's handwriting to become much smaller and messier, often appearing crooked. Keep in mind that messy handwriting can also result from injuries or vision issues. 

3. Loss of Smell

While a clear link has yet to be identified, loss of smell shows up in most early disease diagnoses. Many people experience loss of smell for other reasons, including allergies and common colds. The symptom is also a common sign of COVID-19, which can be detected via testing. When the symptom seems to be ongoing and is not linked to another ailment, it requires a closer look. 

4. Speaking Issues

Issues with speech are common in the later stages of Parkinson's, but they typically emerge early on in the disorder. The disease can make a person speak softer than normal, which can make it hard to understand what the person is saying. 

While some people naturally speak with a softer voice, new developments require a doctor's assessment. Other speech-related symptoms include speaking in a monotone and slurred speech.

If you or a loved one is experiencing the above symptoms of Parkinson's, the next step is to contact the Neurological Consultants of Alaska LLC. These kind and compassionate neurologists offer comprehensive testing procedures to get to the bottom of your symptoms. From there, they will help you manage the condition in such a way that you enjoy an amazing quality of life. They also make sure the loved ones of the patient are sufficiently educated on their condition to ensure optimum support. Visit the website to learn more about their services, or call (907) 277-1623 to schedule a consultation today.