Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination. It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s, including actor Michael J. Fox. While there is no single test to diagnose Parkinson’s, there are certain signs and symptoms that can indicate the presence of the disease. In this article, we’ll discuss five signs that may indicate you have Parkinson’s like Michael J. Fox. We’ll also provide tips on how to manage the symptoms and live a healthy life.
5 Signs You Have Parkinson’s Like Michael J. Fox
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination. It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s, including actor Michael J. Fox. While there is no single test to diagnose Parkinson’s, there are certain signs and symptoms that can indicate the presence of the disease. Here are five signs that you may have Parkinson’s like Michael J. Fox.
1. Tremors
One of the most common signs of Parkinson’s is a tremor, or shaking, in the hands, arms, legs, or jaw. This tremor usually begins on one side of the body and can be worse when the person is stressed or anxious. It can also be worse when the person is at rest.
2. Slowed Movement
People with Parkinson’s often experience a slowing of movement, which can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. This can include difficulty walking, writing, or even speaking. It can also cause a person to take longer to complete tasks.
3. Rigidity
Rigidity is another common symptom of Parkinson’s. This can cause stiffness in the muscles, making it difficult to move. It can also cause pain and discomfort in the joints.
4. Balance Problems
People with Parkinson’s often experience balance problems, which can make it difficult to stand or walk. This can lead to falls and other injuries.
5. Changes in Speech
People with Parkinson’s may experience changes in their speech, such as slurring or speaking more slowly. They may also have difficulty swallowing.
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to speak to your doctor. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are treatments available that can help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that has no cure (although treatment can be highly effective). Actor Michael J. Fox, 61, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at age 29, and launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000. “The attention Michael has brought to Parkinson’s research has sparked a complete revolution,” says the foundation’s chief executive officer, Todd Sherer. “Pharmaceutical companies are more focused than ever on finding treatments quickly, and curing PD is job one for some of the best minds in neuroscience.” Here are five signs of Parkinson’s disease, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Tremors are a common sign of Parkinson’s, but doctors recommend getting fully evaluated to rule out other issues. “See a neurologist specializing in movement disorders and who can properly evaluate, diagnose, and treat tremors,” says neurologist Zoltan Mari, MD. “Part of that could be eliminating factors that can drive exaggerated physiological tremor, such as high thyroid hormone levels, so thyroid function tests (TFTs) should be sent off to the lab, for example.”
Slowness of movement, known as bradykinesia, is another common sign of Parkinson’s. “Using a wrist-worn device that continuously monitors body movements, a US study has found 85% of people with Parkinson’s disease experience bradykinesia — abnormally slow movements — in the morning,” says Steve Bryson, PhD.
People with Parkinson’s often experience muscle stiffness that can be painful. “Rigidity, or stiffness, is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s,” says Rachel Dolhun, MD, a movement disorders specialist at The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Changes in gait could be an early sign of Parkinson’s, according to experts. “Changes in gait and cognition precede a diagnosis of idiopathic (without known cause) Parkinson’s disease, and may occur earlier than typical non-motor symptoms,” says Catarina Silva, MSc. “Identifying individuals during the prodromal (early) period that precedes motor symptoms could be of great use for clinical studies seeking new therapies to prevent or delay disease progression.”
Research shows that signs of aging in the retina could be tied to higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. “People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have a number of visual impairments, including changes in contrast sensitivity, color vision, and object and motion processing deficits,” says Nicolás Cuenca, PhD. “We studied retinas of PD individuals to assess the molecular and morphological changes in order to find possible biomarkers of the disease that can be used as predictors.”
Ferozan Mast