If you have ever seen an elderly person whose hands are trembling, you have likely spotted someone who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. It is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world that affects movement, and as per the Mayo Clinic website, it worsens over time.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease starts slow. The first symptom can be as subtle as a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand or sometimes a foot or the jaw. it is not the only one While tremors are the most common symptom of the disease.
And according to Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, it might not even be the first.
They include: In the words of the neurologist, “A single symptom usually means little; these features are common in the general population. But a combination, especially REM sleep behaviour disorder, loss of smell and subtle motor changes, can be an important warning signal. Dr Sudhir Kumar is a veteran neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
As per Dr Kumar, the following clues of Parkinson’s disease can appear five to 10 years before people go in for a diagnosis. With over 26 years of experience and qualifications including MBBS, MD (internal medicine), and DM (neurology), he treats a wide range of conditions such as dementia, ALS, cerebral palsy, back pain, Canavan disease, and more.
Dr Kumar cautioned that Parkinson’s disease does not suddenly “start” when tremor appears; the biology may begin many years earlier. “Recognising the prodromal phase could eventually allow us to identify people at high risk before classical Parkinsonism becomes established,” he added.
