April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month!

Did you know that there are currently 1 million Americans living with Parkinson’s disease and that about 60,000 more are diagnosed every year? With Parkinson’s having as wide an impact as it does, it’s more important than ever to make sure you, as well as your friends and family, are aware of potential symptoms. That’s why for Parkinson’s Awareness Month we want to help you identify some of the early signs.According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, one of the first early indicators of Parkinson’s disease is resting tremors. There are things like stress, injury, or medication that can cause tremors without worry, but if you are experiencing them while you are at rest, you should consider speaking with a medical professional.Similarly, there are some daily activities that can show early signs of Parkinson’s, like handwriting or walking. If you notice a sudden change in your handwriting, such as smaller, more compact words, that could indicate onset of micrographia, which is a sign of Parkinson’s disease. Stiffness or difficulty walking could also be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease if you have not previously experienced injury in the stiff part of your body and you do not have arthritis. You may also find yourself hunched over when you try to stand or walk.Other symptoms, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation, include loss of smell, trouble sleeping, constipation, a suddenly softer or lower voice, dizziness or fainting, and “masked face,” in which you may have an angry or serious facial expression without intention. Above all, however, it is vital to speak with a medical professional for an official diagnosis and treatment plan. You can learn more about what to look for with the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and ParkinsonsDisease.net.Treatment options for Parkinson’s disease vary, as everyone is slightly different. However, there are some options that can help anyone with Parkinson’s. Both the Parkinson’s Foundation and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research recommend working with a doctor on a medication plan that works for you and finding ways to exercise that you both enjoy and find personally challenging. Some common choices are dancing, cycling, walking, swimming, and even yoga. As with anything else, though, we need to make sure we aren’t pushing our bodies too hard and checking with our doctors before starting an exercise routine.Over the course of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and beyond, we all need to make sure we and those around us are aware of potential early signs of Parkinson’s disease, as catching any disease early can often help make treatment easier. This month, the Parkinson’s Foundation will be leading the #StartAConversation campaign to help encourage community engagement and conversation. If you’d like to join, you can use the #StartAConversation hashtag on social media, or reach out to us over Facebook or Twitter.