Parkinson's Awareness Month
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2025, 10:06pm in:Parkinson's Awareness Month was established in honor of James Parkinson, who first described the symptoms of the disease in 1817. April is also the birth month of James Parkinson.
Could it be Parkinson’s? What are the early signs?
It can be hard to tell if you or a loved one has Parkinson’s. PD is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years and the progression of symptoms is often different from one person to another.
Here are 10 early signs of Parkinson’s:
- Tremors, often in the hands or fingers
- Small handwriting
- Loss of smell
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble moving or walking, including stiffness and balance problems
- Constipation
- A soft or low voice
- Facial Masking, meaning a reduction of facial expressions
- Dizziness or fainting
- Stooping or hunching over
No single one of these signs means that you should worry, but if you have more than one sign, consider making an appointment to talk to your doctor.
The Parkinson’s Foundation research has led to breakthroughs in treatment and improved care that bring hope to the Parkinson's community. The field of Parkinson’s research is ongoing and ever evolving as we learn more about this disease.
Scientists are exploring ways to identify biomarkers for PD that can lead to earlier diagnosis and more tailored treatments to slow down the disease process. Currently, all therapies used for PD can improve symptoms but do not slow or halt the disease progression.