Parkinson's disease: Need to know
Do you know the signs of Parkinson's disease?
Do you know the signs of Parkinson's disease? You need to–we all need to, and we must spread the word–so that people in every community are diagnosed earlier and receive the best treatment. Only then will outcomes improve for all Parkinson's patients.
Here are the 10 early warning signs of Parkinson's disease:
Tremor or shaking
Small handwriting
Loss of the sense of smell
Trouble sleeping
Difficulty moving or walking
Constipation
A soft or low voice
A masked face (reduced facial expression)
Dizziness or fainting
Stooping or hunching over
By themselves, these symptoms could mean many things, or nothing at all. If you have several, however, talk to your doctor about the possibility of Parkinson's disease.
It is possible to live a full life with Parkinson's. But first you have to know about it. The public struggles of celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali have helped bring attention to the disease. The following organizations have lots of additional information. Or you can call Yuliis Bell, outreach coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania center, at 215-829-5078.
Resources
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research (Fox Trial finder provides a registry for clinical trials)
Parkinson's Action Network (educates public and government leaders on better policies for research and quality of life)
Parkinson's Disease Foundation (dedicated to research, education, and advocacy)
Christina Robertson, PhD, is a research advocate and care-partner to someone with Parkinson's. Jacqueline Rick, PhD, is research project manager at the University of Pennsylvania's Udall Center for Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research.
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