While celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Brett Favre have been open about their struggles with Parkinson’s disease, it can present differently in everyone. Because of this, it’s harder to identify the early symptoms of Parkinson’s—especially when they might indicate other underlying health issues. Here, experts share all the need-to-know information about Parkinson’s, including signs to watch for, when to consult your doctor and effective ways to help manage the condition.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder that affects the central nervous system. Nearly 90,000 people a year are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and it’s the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s.
“It impacts many different systems in the body, and one of the key features of Parkinson’s disease is the gradual loss of brain cells, especially those that produce dopamine,” says Meredith Bock, MD, board-certified neurologist and the Chief Medical Officer at Remo Health. “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter crucial for smooth and coordinated movements.”
The loss of brain cells and reduced dopamine can result in slowness of movement or resting tremors, adds Mary Ann Picone, MD, medical director at Holy Name Medical Center. She also notes that women are 1.5 times less likely to be affected than men.
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s
Most people typically develop Parkinson’s after age of 50, though in rarer cases it can occur at an earlier age (a diagnosis before age 50 is considered young-onset Parkinson’s, or YOP). Since Parkinson’s is associated with a progressive loss of motor control and non-motor symptoms, the signs can vary from person to person, reiterates James Beck, PhD, senior vice president and chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. Some of the more common early warning signs of Parkinson’s include:
- A resting tremor on one side of the body, often in your finger, thumb, hand or chin
- Micrographia, or cramped, small handwriting
- Loss of smell not caused by a cold, flu, stuffy nose, etc.
- Sudden movements while sleeping
- Trouble moving or walking—for example, your arms don’t swing while walking or you have stiffness or pain in your shoulder or hip that isn’t because of an injury or arthritis
- Constipation not related to diet or medication
- A soft or low voice not related to illness like a cold
- Reduce facial expressions (known as facial masking or hypomimia), meaning it’s hard to raise your eyebrows, smile or make many facial expressions
- Regular dizziness
- Not standing up as straight as you used to, such as stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand up
Since Parkinson’s has many symptoms, there’s no need to panic if you notice one of these occasionally. However, “if you have more than one of these signs, you should speak with your physician,” says Beck.
He adds that your doctor may also refer you to a neurologist for a more comprehensive diagnosis. That said, no blood tests or brain scans will definitively diagnose the disease. Beck says a doctor must make a “diagnosis based on the individual’s medical history, symptoms and a neurological exam.”
Parkinson’s symptoms can differ between women and men
“Compared to men, women tend to develop tremors later in the disease course and experience fewer cognitive symptoms and more mood symptoms,” explains Dr. Bock.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is complex, and experts still haven’t determined an exact cause. However, it’s likely to develop due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors (such as a traumatic brain injury). Beck says, “Research published in 2024 by the Parkinson’s Foundation indicates that about 13 percent of people with Parkinson’s have a genetic form of the disease.”
Dr. Picone adds that patients with a family history of Parkinson’s disease are at higher risk for developing the disorder. Environmental factors may also contribute, and “exposure to heavy metals and pesticides has also been postulated as increasing risk for the disease,” she says.
How to manage Parkinson’s symptoms
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, there are steps you can take to manage the condition and improve your quality of life. Working closely with your doctor is essential.. “For the motor symptoms, a wide array of therapies are available, from medications that replace dopamine to deep brain stimulation,” says Dr. Bock.
Beck adds that in terms of lifestyle modifications, exercise is free and available to anyone. He emphasizes its importance, saying, “It helps people with Parkinson’s maintain balance, mobility and flexibility and can help ease non-motor symptoms like depression and constipation, too.”
Always consult with your doctor before making significant lifestyle changes or trying different medications.
Finally, “Another simple but important tip I share with people with Parkinson’s disease and their family caregivers is to give yourself patience and grace. It can be challenging to navigate the physical, mental and emotional changes.”
