Parkinson's disease: The signs and symptoms
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes the brain to become progressively more damaged over time, according to the NHS. It’s caused by a loss of nerve cells in a specific part of the brain. These nerve cells are used to help send messages between the brain and the nervous system. Parkinson’s disease symptoms tend to develop slowly, and only appear as mild at first. You could be at risk of the brain condition if you notice your voice becoming softer over time, it’s been revealed.
Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease experiences the same symptoms
Parkinson’s disease patients tend to have a softer, more breathy voice, said medical website ParkinsonsDisease.net.
The voice may be so soft that it can make it difficult to hear what they’re saying, it said.
Some patients may even develop slurred speech, or speech that becomes mumbled.
“One of the secondary motor symptoms that people with Parkinson’s disease may experience is a change in speech, or speech difficulty.
“Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease experiences the same symptoms, and not all patients will have changes in their speech.
“However, for those who are affected, it can be a significant problem, causing difficulties in communication and possibly leading to reduced social interactions.
“The voice may get softer, breathy, or hoarse, causing others difficulty hearing what is said.
“The tone of the voice may become monotone, lacking the normal ups and downs.”
You could also be at risk of Parkinson’s disease if you often have unpleasant sensations - perhaps of burning, coldness or numbness, said the NHS.
Some people may also develop anosmia, which is a loss of sense of smell, it said.
Other warning signs include excessive sweating, difficulty swallowing, constipation and balance problems.
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But, the most common Parkinson’s disease symptoms include tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness.
But, every single person may have different symptoms, as well as different severity of symptoms.
Speak to a GP if you’re worried about the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, said the NHS.
They may ask you about your Parkinson's disease symptoms, and could refer you to a specialist for further tests.
There are about 127,000 people in the UK with Parkinson’s disease - the equivalent to about one in 500 people.