Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that gradually affects the nervous system, potentially impacting areas controlled by the nerves. The symptoms of the disease may occur gradually and may show themselves until a much later stage. But to get the most out of treatments for Parkinson’s disease, it is crucial to diagnose the condition when it just begins. Therefore, here are 12 early warning signs that could help identify the condition early and slow its progression. Tremors One may experience tremors for several reasons, including low blood sugar, stress, anxiety, and the side effects of ongoing prescriptions. However, the symptom might also be a warning sign of Parkinson’s disease. One may notice the first signs of tremors in the limbs, such as hands and fingers. A person with Parkinson’s may also rub the thumb and forefinger back and forth, known as a pill-rolling tremor. Furthermore, the symptom may stop while performing tasks but resume at rest. Bradykinesia As one ages, one’s physical abilities may decline, resulting in decreased mobility. However, individuals with Parkinson’s may also experience this condition, called bradykinesia. This may cause difficulty in performing even basic tasks and take longer than usual to complete them. Furthermore, one may notice that one’s steps become shorter while walking, and one may also drag or shuffle one’s feet while trying to walk.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) are very different neurological conditions that often share distinctive symptoms. While PD is a progressive neurodegenerative condition primarily characterized by motor impairments, TD can cause problems with motor skills, often affecting arms, legs, face, and neck. However, both conditions may manifest silent symptoms that can easily be missed. Hence, this article explains the conditions and focuses on the overlapping silent symptoms of PD and TD. But before delving into the shared silent symptoms, one must understand the basics of PD and TD. Understanding Parkinson’s Disease and Tardive Dyskinesia Parkinson’s Parkinson’s is a complex neurodegenerative disorder resulting from losing dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Its hallmark motor symptoms include tremors, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and postural instability. However, the non-motor symptoms often go unnoticed or are mistaken for other health issues. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) TD is a movement disorder that can affect certain body parts and contribute to involuntary, repetitive movements, primarily affecting the face, lips, tongue, and sometimes limbs. While there is not much information on how the symptoms begin, one can consider chronic blockage of dopamine as one of the leading causes. Now that one has basic information on these disorders, let’s focus on the shared symptoms of PD and TD that one may miss.

Huntington’s disease is a rare and inherited health disorder that causes the brain’s nerve cells to progressively break down over time. As the cells degenerate, a person’s functional abilities start to decline. Additionally, their movements, cognitive ability, and mental health are also affected. It is similar to having ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease simultaneously. These symptoms develop gradually over the course of several years as the disease progresses through multiple stages. Causes of Huntington’s disease Huntington’s disease is a genetic health disorder. It results from a difference or mutation in a particular gene. This difference is generally inherited. Thus, Huntington’s disease runs in the family. Also, it is an autosomal dominant disorder. This implies that only one copy of the different gene is enough for a person to develop this disorder. Thus, a child has a 50% chance of inheriting the nontypical gene from a parent, who may pass along a healthy or nontypical copy of the gene. Therefore, if both parents have Huntington’s disease, there is a 100% chance that their child may have it, too. Progression of Huntington’s disease The atypical gene that causes Huntington’s disease is present in a person at birth. However, the symptoms do not start manifesting at that time.