How to Detect Parkinson's: A Guide to Early Signs

Degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's represent some of the largest challenges facing medical researchers today. These diseases not only rob us of control over our own bodies, but slowly sap our mental capabilities as well. Like most diseases, however, they are best detected early on, when we can at least slow down the progress of the disease, hopefully until better treatments are found. To do this, we must be aware of the early symptoms and signs that point to Parkinson's.
Note: Don't panic if you have one or more of these symptoms, as they can be related to other issues. However, to stay on the safe side, if you think there is even a small chance you are showing early signs, please get tested, if only for your own peace of mind. If you do have it and you catch it early, the prognosis will be much better for you.
Here are 8 symptoms of the onset of Parkinson's disease:

 

1. A Change in Handwriting

If a person's handwriting starts to go from big and free to small and cramped, this may well be an early sign of Parkinson's. The telling signs are letters that get smaller and words that seem crowded together with letters almost written on top of each other. Many patients also take longer to write and have trouble with repetitive tasks.

2. A Reduced Sense of Smell 

If someone is suddenly having trouble smelling pungent foods or picking up on scents, they should go see a doctor. Most times it has to do with sinuses, and it's definitely not one of the most obvious signs of Parkinson's, but doctors say that patients with Parkinson's claim it to be the earliest sign they had of the disease. While studies haven't proven the link between the symptom and the disease, a working theory is that certain proteins form clumps in the brain and may form in the olfactory area, reducing our sense of smell.

3. Trouble Sleeping

Another symptom that can be easily ignored because it's so common, is the sudden inability to sleep well, even if you're usually a sound sleeper. You may toss and turn, your limbs move and twitch during sleep, or you may even wake up on the floor, having fallen from bed. Ask your significant other if you are making a lot of movements at night, and go see a doctor if it persists.

4. A Quieter, Softer Voice OR an Expressionless Face

A softer voice and a vacant facial expression are common signs of Parkinson's. Some will not notice they are speaking in a softer tone, and they definitely won't notice their face losing expression, so it is up to the people around them to be aware of these signs. Speaking too rapidly or stammering a lot is also a symptom. 
5. Depression 
Obviously many patients develop depression after learning they have Parkinson's, but there is a physical link between the deterioration that comes with Parkinson's and depression. Some patients get depressed years before the other symptoms of the disease appear. Lower-than-normal secretions of serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters involved with many bodily functions as well as mood, can cause this effect.

6. Constipation

If you find that you've seriously reduced the number of times you move your bowels, sometimes even skipping a day - it's not a good sign, even if it's not Parkinson's, and so you should check it out. The disease has an effect on the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for unconscious processes such as digestion and bowel function. Constipation on its own is usually nothing to worry about, but if it comes with some of the other symptoms on this list - go get checked immediately.  

7. Shaking/Tremors While Perfectly Relaxed

Shaking is perfectly normal under certain circumstances. We may be excited or anxious, have just finished a workout or are feeling restless. But small shakes in our fingers, our hands, our chin, lip or our limbs while we're at rest could be a strong sign of Parkinson's, according to experts. This symptom appears in about 70% of patients and can become more noticeable during stress or excitement.

This symptom usually arrives AFTER the other symptoms on this list though. However, many a time it is the first one truly noticed, as the others can all have other explanations. 

8. Stiffness and Slowness of Movement 

Stiffness in the joints that doesn't go away, coupled with muscle weakness that's here to stay can spell bad news. Suddenly everyday tasks like buttoning your shirt, walking or fixing things around the house become bothersome and difficult. You stop swinging your arms as you walk and your legs and feet feel heavy and 'stuck to the floor'. If you start hesitating before taking steps, or people are commenting that you look stiff or sore - please see a doctor.

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NEUROPATHY- PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

The term Neuropathy is short for 'peripheral neuropathy'. It relates to nerve damage suffered by the peripheral nervous system, which is in charge of our nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. 

 

Neuropathy is a complication that can be caused by a number of various conditions. Physical trauma, repetitive injury, infections, metabolic problems and exposure to toxins and some drugs can all lead to peripheral neuropathy. 

Signs and symptoms of neuropathy
Neuropathy usually starts as a tingling or burning sensation at our extremities, such as fingers and toes. There is also a loss of sensation at the edge of the nerves that patients have reported feeling like they are wearing a thin stocking or glove on their hands. 
The precise symptoms differ from patient to patient based on the types of nerves affected. There are three types of nerves that may be affected by neuropathy, namely sensory, motor and autonomic.

Sensory nerves
Sensory nerves are responsible for collecting sensory information for the body, such as touch. Neuropathy of the sensory nerves can be expressed as:
- Spreading numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet (which can spread to the arms and legs)
- Burning, sharp or electric-like pain
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Problems with coordination
Motor nerves
Motor nerves are the nerves responsible for activating our muscles and control movements.
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis
Autonomic nerves
Autonomic nerves are responsible for internal actions of the body, such as regulating digestion, heat and blood pressure.
- Intolerance to heat
- Problems with digestion, bladder and bowel control
- Dizziness (or light-headedness) brought about by problems with blood pressure

 

 A common cause of neuropathy: Diabetes
For diabetics, neuropathy can be quite common. That said, about 50% of diabetics who have neuropathy won't notice the symptoms, and it will stay on a very low level. For the other 50%, however, the symptoms will be unavoidable. Pain is the most common complaint, usually a 'prickling', 'stabbing' or 'burning' pain, that happens mostly at night. This, along with a numbness that feels as if the limb is 'asleep' - occurs predominantly in the toes, feet and legs.
What do doctors prescribe for this condition?
Most doctors will stick to the old medical regime of anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, steroid and cortisone injections, lidocaine patches and pain killers. These are powerful drugs that address the painful sensations for short and long term relief. However, as powerful drugs, they have a host of side-effects and must be administered very carefully. Some medical practitioners recommend electrical stimulation of the pain area and of the spine. The medical community is united in agreement that more solutions to this problem are required, but progress has been very slow from the medical and drug industry so far.
 
Natural solutions to neuropathy 
First , if you are suffering from diabetes related neuropathy, you must do the following:
- Give up smoking
- Cut down on alcohol consumption or give it up altogether
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise
Other recommended habits for those suffering from neuropathy include: Wearing clothing that causes less irritation, such as cotton, covering the sensitive areas with wound dressing or cling film and using cold packs. 
Stress relief is also a big help when it comes to neuropathy, and so relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and acupuncture will come in handy.
 Vitamin therapy
Clinical studies have shown that certain supplements can have a cumulative effect on the symptoms and causes of neuropathy. These herbal extracts can be taken without worry that they may clash with a parallel medical treatment. Certain herbal extracts and formulas offer a level of relief that has rarely been reached by just using medical procedures. This must be taken daily to achieve the desired relief.
Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12
Vitamin B deficiency is one of the major causes of neuropathy, and also one of the best natural solutions. All herbal extracts contain large amounts of vitamin B1, usually in its common form of thiamine. 
Recent natural medications have reverted to using benfotiamine, which has been found to be significantly more effective in delivering vitamin B than thiamine is (x3).
Stabilized R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA)
This powerful antioxidant is one of the few, rare materials that can pass through the brain's blood/brain barrier to enter the brain and go directly where it is needed the most. 
Most importantly, it has a specific effect on the nerves that eases the pain and numbness associated with neuropathy, and promotes better blood flow and oxygen to the nerves.
Recent studies have reported that just by using the R-ALA alone, orally, symptoms of neuropathy were reduced.
Neuropathy support formulas
These days, it is common for those suffering from neuropathy to take both medical and vitamin therapies, combining short-term treatment with the cumulative effects of correct nutrition. 
The best formulas (so make sure they have these in the ingredient list) include vitamins B1, B2 and B12, as well as Vitamin D, R-ALA and materials that relax your nervous system, avoiding over-stimulation. 
I personally recommend checking those out for anyone who is really looking for a solution to their neuropathy problem, or is worried they are developing one. For diabetes patients, this would be a good way to perhaps prevent the onset of neuropathic symptoms.

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