The earliest diagnosis of Parkinson's can technically occur in childhood (Juvenile Parkinson's), but Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease (EOPD) is diagnosed between ages 21-50, with some cases appearing before 40, often linked to genetics and presenting unique life challenges, though the average diagnosis is around age 60. Early signs, often noticed by family, include loss of smell, sleep issues, constipation, handwriting changes (micrographia), quiet speech, stiffness, and subtle tremors, with symptoms developing years before clinical diagnosis.
10 Early Signs
Treatment for young onset Parkinson's
Although there is no cure for the disease at this time, by identifying symptoms and determining a proper, proactive course of treatment and lifestyle changes, most people with the disease are able to remain active and lead fulfilling lives.
In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, your face may show little or no expression. Your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Symptoms get worse over time.
The 5-2-1 rule in Parkinson's disease is a clinical guideline to identify when the condition may be considered "advanced," suggesting a need for advanced therapies like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or intestinal gel. It's met if a patient experiences at least 5 doses of levodopa daily, plus 2 or more hours of "Off" time (symptoms return), and/or 1 or more hour of troublesome dyskinesia (involuntary movements) daily, signaling inadequate symptom control.
An article in the Washington Post shares four tips that may reduce your risk of developing Parkinson's disease: drink caffeinated coffee or tea; be careful about dry-cleaning (if the cleaner uses PCE); avoid pesticides (switch to organic produce; wash your produce); and use a water filter (especially if there are golf ...
While people are diagnosed with Parkinson's at an average age of 60, anything younger than 50 is considered young-onset Parkinson's, or YOPD.
Parkinson's Screening Questionnaire
The four cardinal motor symptoms are:
In finger tapping the patient is instructed to tap the index finger on the thumb as fast possible and as big as possible. This means that the patient should try to separate the two fingers as much as possible before tapping them. Make sure to test both the right and the left side.
While Parkinson's disease (PD) itself isn't fatal, its complications can shorten lifespan, but many individuals live a near-normal life with proper care, often surviving 10-20 years or more post-diagnosis, with average deaths occurring around age 78-81, though factors like age of onset, gender (males may have slightly higher risk), and disease severity significantly impact individual outcomes.
You may also notice facial tremors in your chin. Stiffness when you walk is another one of the earliest motor signs of Parkinson's. You may notice stiffness that doesn't get better as you move. Shuffling your feet and not swinging your arms like you normally would while walking are also two red flags of Parkinson's.
The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease affect physical movement: tremor – shaking, which usually begins in the hand or arm and is more likely to occur when the limb is relaxed and resting.
💡 Quick Summary
Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women. Genetics. Individuals with a parent or sibling who is affected have approximately two times the chance of developing Parkinson's.
Stage One. During this initial stage, the person has mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremor and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only. Changes in posture, walking and facial expressions occur.
You may not need any treatment during the early stages of Parkinson's disease as symptoms are usually mild. But you may need regular appointments with your specialist so your condition can be monitored. You might be offered a device to wear at home that monitors your symptoms.
As one of the vitamins for Parkinson's, Vitamin D is essential for brain health and brain activity. Many Parkinson's patients have lower levels of Vitamin D. There is also evidence to support that Vitamin D aids in nerve growth and protection against neurological nerve damage.
Parkinson's disease likely stems from a complex mix of factors, with the two most prominent contributing causes being genetic predispositions (inherited gene mutations) and environmental triggers (like pesticides, toxins, and pollution), which often interact with age (the biggest risk factor) to damage dopamine-producing brain cells, leading to the disease.
There's growing evidence that diet might influence the development of Parkinson's disease. Our research shows that eating too much processed food, like sugary sodas and packaged snacks, might be speeding up early signs of Parkinson's disease."
Solvents: Trichloroethylene, a solvent, has been used in many industrial settings, such as metal degreasing and dry cleaning, and in paint thinners and detergents. Some studies have shown a link between long-term exposure to solvents and development of Parkinson's.
One of the most prevalent neurological disorders is Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by four cardinal signs: tremor, bradykinesia, rigor and postural instability.
Parkinson's disease is diagnosed clinically, based on medical history, current symptoms and a physical exam. No single lab or test confirms a diagnosis, though tests like an MRI, DaTscan or blood work can help rule out other conditions.