Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 5, 2025 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller What Are the Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease? Loss of smell: Not being able to smell certain Dear Savvy Senior, What are the early signs of Parkinson’s disease? My husband was recently diagnosed after noticing a slight thumb tremor but we’re wondering if we missed any other early warning signs. Curious Wife Dear Curious, Recognizing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is challenging because the symptoms are often subtle and/or similar to those in other health conditions, which means they can easily be overlooked, dismissed or misdiagnosed. Parkinson’s disease, which afflicts around 1 million Americans, is a degenerative disorder that occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons die or become impaired. This happens in the part of the brain that controls movement, which can cause tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. The symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time, and the progression of symptoms is often different from one person to another. Some people with Parkinson’s become severely disabled, while others may experience only minor motor disruptions. While the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, scientists believe genetics and environmental factors (exposure to certain toxins) play a key role. Most people with Parkinson’s first develop the disease around age 60 or older, and men are more likely to develop it than are women. Early Warning Signs Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose because there’s no definitive test to confirm it. Doctors, usually neurologists, will do an examination and evaluate a combination of warning signs, but symptoms can vary greatly by patient which often leads to confusion and misdiagnosis. That said, here are some of the key signs and symptoms everyone should be aware of. Restless sleeping: Talking in your sleep, sleepwalking and/or acting out your dreams by kicking or jerking. This is a REM sleep behavior disorder and one of the strongest and earliest pre-diagnostic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. foods very well like bananas, dill pickles or licorice. This early symptom occurs in around 70 to 90 percent of Parkinson’s patients. Constipation: Problems with digestion and bowel movements are a big problem for people with Parkinson’s, and an early sign that can occur up to 20 years before this disease is diagnosed. Changes in handwriting: Writing may become harder to do, and your handwriting may appear much smaller than it has in the past. Soft voice: According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 89 percent of people with Parkinson’s will have speech and voice disorders, which often shows up first in volume of the voice, meaning that you may speak more softly. Tremors: Slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand or chin. The tremor usually happens at rest, and when you move the extremity, it may disappear. This is the most common and recognizable outward sign of Parkinson’s disease, but by the time tremors start, the brain has already lost more than half of its dopamine-producing cells. Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease can slow movements, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk. Masked Face: The muscles in the face experience the same gradual stiffening as in the rest of the body, which results in lack of smiling and facial expressions. Impaired posture and balance: Stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, and/or balance problems can all be an early sign of Parkinson’s. Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has Parkinson’s disease. But if you are experiencing any of them, and you’re over age 60, you should consider talking with your doctor, who may order a DaT scan or Syn-One (Skin Biopsy) Test to help diagnose it. Early detection leads to earlier treatment, which can improve a person’s overall quality of life. For more information, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 1. Dec. 5 is Repeal Day; it is the only USA holiday written where? 2. What Caribbean country (also the name of a liqueur) is the smallest to qualify for a FIFA World Cup? 3. On Dec. 6, 1864, Western film hero William S. Hart was born in what NY city with a name similar to a lobster dish? 4. What was zygocactus? 5. How are Great Fountain, Lone Star and Old Faithful similar? 6. In what book is the chapter “The Mock Turtle’s Story” with the line “‘Just about as much right,’ said the Duchess, ‘as pigs have to fly…’”? 7. On Dec. 7, 1956, what Boston Celtics All-Star player was born who became a Dream Team member at the 1992 Olympics? 8. When is a pudding not a pudding? 9. What is the only country that starts with Q? 10. Whose play “The Winter’s Tale” includes the stage direction “Exit, pursued by a bear”? 11. On Dec. 8, 2019, the first case of COVID-19 was in what country? 12. How are Buddy, Legolas and St. Nicholas somewhat similar? 13. Who has a record for most NBA seasons of play (23)? 14. On Dec. 9, 1979, the global eradication of what virus was certified? 15. What sport has “the longest standing and largest Disabled Sports Organization”? 16. The Mexican national flag has what bird: albatross, bird of paradise or eagle? 17. On Dec. 10, 1768, the first part of what “oldest continuously published and revised work in the English language” was published? 18. What symbol originated from the letters “e” and “t”? 19. Who developed the oldest known law code: Egypt, Mesopotamia or Russia? 20. Dec. 11 is National Tango Day in what triangle-shaped country? ANSWERS 1. In the Constitution; on Dec. 5, 1933, the final state ratified the 21st Amendment of the Constitution to repeal the 18th Amendment (Prohibition). 2. Curaçao 3. Newburgh (lobster newburg) 4. Reportedly, an old name for flowing cacti known as Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus 5. They are geysers at Yellowstone National Park. 6. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (a response to Alice saying “I’ve a right to think”) 7. Larry Bird 8. In British English, pudding can mean dessert. 9. Qatar 10. Shakespeare’s 11. China 12. All elves (in the 2003 “Elf” film, the “Lord of the Rings” and “A Visit from St. Nicholas [“a right jolly old elf”], respectively) 13. LeBron James 14. Smallpox 15. Basketball (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) 16. Eagle 17. “Encyclopædia Britannica” 18. Ampersand (from the Latin “et”) 19. Mesopotamia 20. Argentina
19 Publizr Home