The latest episode at the NY 9/11 remembrance.

Then we have a doctors opinion of what he observes.

10 signs of Parkinson’s disease

1. Walking Difficulty

As we mentioned early, Parkinson’s disease affects movement, and few movements are naturally as inherent for people as is walking. Those with Parkinson’s often have an inability to swing their arms naturally when they walk. Also, they will often take short, uneven steps (shuffling), suffering from freezing spells (which is a difficulty in the starting to walk and stopping), as well difficulty in judging obstacles and negotiating turns and corners. While not the most noticeable symptom at the onset of Parkinson’s disease, in time, this often proves to be one of the troublesome and debilitating aspects of the disease, impacting what was once an easy and natural activity.

2. Tremors

If one could refer to a symptom as ‘famous’, then tremors would be in the spotlight when it comes to Parkinson’s disease. The reason for this is that tremors are often the most outwardly visible of symptoms and one that the media and public most associates with the disease.

For the most part, tremors develop in the hands and arms, although they may also surface in the jaw and foot, Typically tremors manifest in the rubbing of the thumb against the forefingers and is most prevalent when the hand is at rest or the individual is under stress. In the early stages of the disease, it is usually only one side of the body or one limb that is affected, but as the disease progresses, other parts of the body may be affected.

3. Bradykinesia

Bradykinesia is the gradual degradation of movement and the perpetual loss of spontaneous activity. This is caused by the brain’s lethargy in transmitting instructions to the desired parts of the body.

Sufferers of Parkinson’s disease can find this one of the most stressful symptoms due to the unpredictable nature of its onsets and how quickly disabling it can be. It can be as dramatic as a sufferer moving freely and seemingly uninhibited one moment, and then completely unable to move the next. Bradykinesia can also affect facial muscles that may give a mask-like appearance to those with the disease.

4. Balance Difficulty

Knowing as we do that Parkinson’s disease affects movement, it only lends to reason that balance would be affected. To put simply, balance is the even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. This not only applies to an individual and their ability to remain more or less vertical, but it also extends other extremities and interaction with the world around them.

Multi-tasking like dribbling a basketball or even simpler tasks like walking while holding a glass of water can prove very time-consuming, difficult, and in some cases, impossible.

5. Depression

Depression is one of the most common side-effects experienced by people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, although it is a little more complicated than that. While depression is a symptom of many disease, both neurological and physical, in the case of Parkinson’s it might be prudent to view depression as a off-shoot of the other symptoms, or, even simpler, a symptom of a symptom.

Parkinson’s is a life-changing ailment, and one that affects near every aspect of the suffers lives. Things that were one easy become difficult or impossible, and it is only natural that this play heavily on the psyche of the afflicted.

Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s report moderate to severe depression in the first year, but as time progresses, so does acceptance and coping mechanisms.

6. Motor Skill Loss

Difficulty walking, bradykinesia and balance difficulty can all be contributing factors to the overall symptom of motor skill loss.

What were once simple tasks can prove to be very difficult for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease. Putting a puzzle together, cooking meals, and even tying ones shoelaces can prove not only difficult, but in some cases impossible without assistance.

This loss of motor skills isn’t sudden, as it is more akin to gradually present itself as the severity of the disease increases. A loss of motor skills is also a large contributing factor to overall depression and can also affect other symptoms as well learn shortly.

7. Handwriting

A common symptom and telltale sign of Parkinson is a significant change in the penmanship of the individual suffering. Again, as is the nature of the disease, this does not happen suddenly, but rather is a gradual process of change.

Very often, people with Parkinson’s report a predisposition to write smaller than usual and their writing is typically ‘messier’ than it once was. This symptom can prove very troublesome to those affected as penmanship is one of those things that after a certain age, most people carry with them for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, these symptoms can often be overlooked in this modern digital age we live in with keyboards and typing often completely replacing the once common place use of a pen and pad.

8. Voice and Speech Differences

This is a symptom that does not present itself in the early onset of Parkinson’s disease, nor is noticed by those afflicted themselves by it, but many people who partake in the journey of Parkinson’s with their loved ones report a change in voice and speech patterns.

A natural ‘softening’ of the voice is a common symptom with many people reporting a need to ‘lean in’ in order to hear and converse with a person with Parkinson’s. They also make experience difficulty in enunciating words, especially larger ones.

9. Memory Loss

It is common enough, and sadly expected that someone suffering from Parkinson’s disease will experience some degree of cognitive change – and it is usually mild. However, according to some studies, about one in four who suffer from the disease experience dementia.

Dementia is an increasingly severe decline in mental abilities that can cause many problems atop of the already present physical symptoms of Parkinson’s. Common occurrences of dementia may include memory loss, difficulty thinking, trouble with problem-solving and changes in language, both tone and vocabulary. Dementia is progressive, meaning that the symptoms, like everything with this terrible disease, comes on gradually.

10. Skin Disorders

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and is incredibly connected and intuitive when it comes to our body and what is happening on the inside. Bearing this holistic view of the body in mind, the disease can sometimes manifest itself dermatologically, causing dry, rough skin and dandruff on the scalp.

Among the many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, this is usually the easiest to combat through the use of moisturizers and lotions. However, due to the progressive nature of this disease, very often those affected, especially in late stages, require assistance as motor skills, and coordination are often impaired.

Parkinson’s is an incurable disease that can be incredibly devastating and life changing to not only the person affected, but can also impact all of those in that person immediate circle of friends and loved ones.

It can be difficult to watch a person with Parkinson’s disease as many people report a feeling of helplessness given the nature of the ailment. That being said, Parkinson’s education is important for everyone, not just those affected, personally or secondhand, because as a growing number are diagnosed, it becomes the job of everyone to help combat this disease. While a cure might not yet be available, it is in all of our powers to lend a hand, and to be a source stability in the journey of those suffering.