The most widespread movement disorders are essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, and dystonia. Early symptoms of these conditions may be subtle, are often attributed to aging, and typically develop slowly, so it can take time to realize there’s something wrong.
Early treatment of certain movement disorders significantly improves symptom management, so an early diagnosis is always better. Our experts at Memphis Neurology offer this guide to help you identify the common early signs of movement disorders so you or your loved one can receive a prompt diagnosis and timely treatment.
Essential tremor (the most common movement disorder) causes involuntary shaking, typically in the hands, head, or voice. Early signs often include trembling when performing specific actions, such as holding objects, writing, or using utensils. The tremors usually subside when you stop using the affected body part.
ET doesn’t reduce life expectancy. Although tremors may intensify, their progression is usually slow and lasts years. In some patients, tremors can lead to challenges with daily tasks like eating, drinking, or writing and may cause embarrassment.
Mild tremors typically don’t require treatment because early intervention doesn’t halt ET’s progression. However, we recommend starting treatment when tremors disrupt daily activities or create significant difficulties.
Studies show that up to 212 in every 100,000 people aged 65 years and older develop Parkinson’s disease. The condition is incurable but not fatal, although complications caused by Parkinson’s can be severe.
Typical early Parkinson’s disease symptoms include:
Tremors cause persistent shaking or twitching that commonly affects the hands, legs, and chin. They ease off when you rest the affected body parts. Tremors often start gradually on one side of the body before spreading.
Changes in your gait (how you walk) that could indicate a movement disorder include shuffling, irregular pacing, difficulty initiating steps, feet dragging, and sudden shifts in stride length.
Handwriting may become unusually small and cramped when you have Parkinson’s disease, reflecting the deterioration in motor control.
Hyposomia causes difficulty detecting or distinguishing odors. A diminished sense of smell often appears years before movement symptoms start.
Insomnia, vivid dreams, and involuntary movements during sleep can signal early Parkinson’s.
Impaired balance and coordination arise when the disease affects the basal ganglia (brain cells crucial for movement).
When you develop Parkinson’s disease, your movements become slower and stiffer, making daily activities more challenging.
Facial masking is a blank or emotionless appearance caused by a loss of muscle control, which results in reduced facial expressions.
A softer voice or monotonous speech patterns often accompany other early symptoms.
The muscle rigidity Parkinson’s disease causes can result in stooping and hunching.
Constipation (difficulty passing dry, hard stools) often precedes motor symptoms. It affects up to 25% of patients with Parkinson’s.
Depression, anxiety, or cognitive difficulties may emerge because of reduced dopamine levels.
Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It can affect various parts of the body.
Early signs of limb dystonia may include cramping during tasks like writing or muscle fatigue when physically active.
Excessive blinking or light sensitivity could be early signs of blepharospasm -uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms that force the eyelids to close. Difficulty chewing or altered speech rhythms might indicate oromandibular dystonia.
Recognizing these early signs leads to timely medical intervention, improving quality of life, and slowing disease progression. If you or a loved one notices movement disorder symptoms, call Memphis Neurology to arrange an assessment or use the Contact Us form to get in touch.
