Early recognition of Parkinson’s disease remains a key focus in improving timely diagnosis and patient outcomes. According to the World Health Organization, disability due to the disease is increasing rapidly around the world, making awareness of the early warning signs more urgent than ever, especially as they are frequently mistaken for the normal effects of ageing.2
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes slow and small movements, often tremor and can cause difficulty with balance and coordination, and sometimes challenges with speech, sleep, cognition, behaviour and mental health.3
“The early signs of Parkinson’s are often subtle,” says, Professor Riaan Van Coller, Lecturer at the University of Pretoria, “and, as a result, diagnosis can be delayed. While there isn’t a cure for the condition, symptoms can be managed with medication, physical therapy and surgical intervention in selected cases, which can vastly improve the quality of life for those living with it. Prompt treatment also helps family members and caregivers to understand and deal with what is happening to the patient.”
Although the cause of the disease is unknown, people with a family history of Parkinson’s are more likely to develop it – and certain non-motor symptoms can occur many years before motor skills are affected.4
“These can vary widely,” says Dr Nombini Habangana, Medical Affairs Director at AbbVie South Africa. “They can include loss of smell, which is increasingly recognised as one of the earliest symptoms, as well as seemingly innocuous indicators, such as fatigue, restless legs, constipation and sleep disturbances. Other signs to watch out for are changes in mood – such as depression or anxiety without any clear trigger – poor concentration and difficulty in multitasking.”
More noticeably, early motor symptoms can include a drop in the volume of speech, smaller handwriting and reduced facial expressions and arm swing, while one of the early motor cues is shoulder pain mimicking ‘frozen shoulder’.5
“The reason diagnosis is often delayed is that these might seem like ordinary, everyday ailments or features of aging,” says Prof Van Coller, “so it’s important to watch out for clusters of symptoms and to consult a doctor if there’s any concern about what they may mean. As diagnosis is clinical – and depends on examination rather than a single, definitive test – professional assessment is essential.”
A delay in diagnosis, which is often a result of misunderstanding what mild initial changes in health and behaviour could mean, can have a range of medical, functional and emotional consequences.
Without timely medical intervention, motor symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, tremors and changes in posture can become more entrenched, and speech and swallowing issues may appear earlier. Similarly, non-motor symptoms, such as pain, difficulty sleeping and mood changes may intensify more quickly.6, 7 This means that the ability to work declines sooner and daily tasks such as dressing, writing and cooking become more difficult.
“The earlier Parkinson’s is diagnosed, the better long-term management and the patient’s quality of life will be,” says Prof Van Coller. “That’s why we’re promoting greater awareness of the condition at both public and primary healthcare level in South Africa.
“If you think you or a loved one may be exhibiting early signs of Parkinson’s, don’t delay in seeking medical attention.”