Parkinson’s disease is a common disease that affects the nervous system. The movements of a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease would gradually start slowing down. Patients even start experiencing tremors in one of their hands. According to studies, about 60,000 Americans are known to be suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

To understand more about this disease, let us understand its symptoms, causes, and risk factors.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may differ from person to person. It is very hard to tell since, in the early stages of the disease, these signs are mild and often go unnoticed. But here are some of the common symptoms that you should be paying attention to:

Stiffness of the muscles

This is something that could happen in any part of the body. As a result of the muscles getting rigid, the person finds it tougher to be flexible. This is a common sign that occurs mainly due to old age, but it could also be a sign of Parkinson’s disease.

Slowing down of movements

Another sign of Parkinson’s disease is that the speed of movements starts slowing down. This could occur in any part of the body. Over time, a person starts taking shorter steps than they previously did. This is how you can notice signs of Parkinson’s disease, just by observing the change in a person’s walking pattern. Also, a person may find it increasingly difficult to get themselves out of a chair once seated.

Tremors in the hand

This is a major sign of Parkinson’s disease. A tremor of the disease usually starts in one of the hands or limbs. Tremors generally take place when the hand is at rest. They are serious signs, so you should never ignore them and immediately consult a doctor.

Weakened balance

A change in your posture could also be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. In this case, your posture becomes stooped, and you start experiencing problems with your balance.

An unconscious decrease in natural movements

This is a sign that a person would most likely not notice. The decrease in natural actions like the blinking of the eyes, the arm movements while walking, facial expressions, and the like, are all signs of Parkinson’s disease.

Change in writing style

Even a change in your writing style is a sign of the disease, as you may find it harder to write and your writing may become smaller.

Causes

You cannot pinpoint a certain reason for the disease, but there are many factors because of which people suffer from it. They are:

• Environmental factors
  Being exposed to a hazardous environment with toxic materials can lead to Parkinson’s disease.
• Family genes
  There are certain genes that can cause Parkinson’s disease, and although the person may not necessarily get the disease, they are at a higher risk of it.

Risk factors

There are certain risk factors for getting the disease. They are:

• A person’s gender
  According to studies, women are more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than men.
• A person’s age
  People mostly get the disease once they cross middle age.