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8 early signs of Parkinson’s disease that shouldn’t be ignored

8 early signs of Parkinson’s disease that shouldn’t be ignored

Parkinson’s is a disorder that slowly encroaches upon an individual’s neurological health, making it difficult for them to perform daily tasks. Old age is usually the leading cause of the disease. Before the obvious motor symptoms emerge, however, some discreet signs can serve as early indicators. Detecting these can provide valuable insight into the presence of Parkinson’s disease, offering a window of opportunity for intervention and better management of symptoms.

Here are some of the early signs that one should pay attention to:

  • Tremors
    In Parkinson’s disease, tremors are a hallmark motor symptom that usually begins in the hands, fingers, or limbs. These tremors often appear as rhythmic shaking or trembling and may be more pronounced at rest. They can gradually worsen, affecting daily activities such as writing, eating, or holding objects. While not everyone with Parkinson’s experiences tremors, they are a recognizable and significant early sign of the disease.
  • Loss of manual dexterity and motor skills
    Dexterity refers to the skill and ability to use one’s hands or body with precision and coordination. Fine motor skills can be affected early in Parkinson’s disease. Individuals may notice a slight decline in their ability to perform intricate tasks, such as writing or buttoning clothes. They may experience stiffness, slowness, or difficulty initiating movements.
  • Changes in posture and balance
    Parkinson’s disease can cause changes in posture and balance, even in its early stages. Individuals can develop a stooped or hunched posture and experience difficulty maintaining balance while walking.
  • Loss of smell
    Individuals may struggle to distinguish between odors or notice a diminished sense of smell. This subtle change in olfactory perception can occur years before other noticeable symptoms emerge. That said, the sense of smell may be temporarily altered or affected due to infections or stuffy noses. Still, if the symptoms don’t improve, one should consult their primary healthcare professional.
  • Changes in speech or voice
    If one experiences any changes in voice quality, it may be the onset of Parkinson’s. Here, one’s voice may get softer or lower than usual, hoarse, or breathy. Others may experience a monotone speech pattern or difficulties with articulation and pronunciation.
  • Changes in handwriting
    Micrographia refers to a gradual reduction in handwriting size and legibility. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease may notice that their handwriting becomes progressively smaller and more cramped over time. This change occurs due to motor control difficulties and impaired fine motor skills associated with the condition.
  • Changes in facial expressions
    Parkinson’s disease can affect facial expressions, leading to a lack of natural and spontaneous movements of the facial muscles. This condition, called facial masking, can make individuals appear expressionless or emotionless. Reduced blinking, less frequent smiling, and a fixed or mask-like facial expression are characteristic features. Facial masking can have a significant impact on non-verbal communication and social interactions.
  • Trouble falling asleep
    Disrupted sleep patterns and difficulty falling asleep are common early signs in individuals at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. One should note, however, that this symptom may be the result of numerous other factors. Still, if this problem persists without any lifestyle changes, it is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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6 mistakes to avoid while taking supplements

Taking supplements is an effective way to add extra vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients lacking in regular meals. These fill in potential nutritional gaps and improve overall health. However, your supplement regimens may not give the results you want if you commit some of these common mistakes. After all, these are not immediate solutions and require professional supervision, caution, and discipline. Thus, here are a few common mistakes to avoid while taking supplements. Not consulting a doctor before taking the supplements If you have been experiencing symptoms that seem like a vitamin deficiency, consult your primary care doctor; they are likely to recommend blood tests. Through these tests, you will know which nutrient levels are low in your body, and your doctor can recommend the appropriate supplements. Moreover, consulting a doctor will ensure that the supplements do not interfere with any other prescriptions you might take for a pre-existing health condition. Taking too many supplements all at once It is a misconception that the more supplements you take, the better it is for your health. Mixing different supplements may lead to chemical interactions in your body that will do more harm than good. Also, it will cause the liver to overwork. Excess supplement intake over a prolonged period can also lead to liver damage. The risk of this happening is quite high if multiple supplements are mixed without consulting your primary care doctor. If you do have to take several supplements, make sure you space them out. Taking only one supplement for everything Many brands often advertise that one supplement will solve all your health concerns. There are usually multivitamins that do take care of several vitamin deficiencies and improve overall health. However, if you are thinking about taking a single supplement to improve several aspects of your health, such as heart, liver, or skin, this won’t work. A single supplement cannot take care of all your health needs. Depending too much on supplements for all nutritional requirements Supplements can only fill in nutrition gaps; they are not substitutes for complete meals. Taking supplements will not help in managing severe nutrient deficiencies. It is imperative to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods. Following a varied meal plan with wholesome, healthy ingredients should always be the first priority. Not taking the supplements in the right combination Not all minerals and vitamins are compatible or incompatible with one another. For example, calcium is easily absorbed in the body in the presence of vitamins K and D. Also; the body can process iron better in the presence of vitamin C. However, if you take calcium and iron supplements simultaneously, the calcium will prevent iron absorption. Moreover, it can lead to side effects, such as upset stomach or constipation. So always consult your primary care doctor to ensure you take the right combination of supplements. Not storing the supplements properly It is a common habit to store prescriptions and supplements in a cabinet in the bathroom. While this may be convenient for you, this kind of storage will spoil the supplements earlier than their expiry dates. This is because your bathroom has high humidity compared to the rest of your house. Also, don't store them in the kitchen, as temperature fluctuations are quite common here. Try to store vitamins and minerals in a dry and cool space away from heat and humidity sources in the house.

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Everything you need to know about chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes extreme tiredness and fatigue that does not go away even after resting. The causes of the condition are yet to be known. However, there are some theories indicate several factors which include: Viral infection Stress Or several factors in unison Once the symptoms are identified and the condition is diagnosed, treatment can be taken to get relief from symptoms. Understanding all aspects of the condition, including its stages, diagnosis, symptoms, and prevention can help in managing it effectively. Different stages and phases of chronic fatigue syndrome The patients of chronic fatigue syndrome undergo four phases of the condition. Their response towards the treatment can also vary greatly depending on the phase that they are going through. These phases are: Phase I: Crisis or trauma Phase II: Stabilization Phase III: Resolution Phase IV: Integration During all the phases, a chronic fatigue syndrome patient undergoes some physical, psychological, and social changes that are easily noticeable. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome No one test can diagnose a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome. This is because the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome resemble several other health conditions. Therefore, a lot of patience is required for the diagnosis of the condition.
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What you should know about depression

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Important things you should know about diabetes

The pancreas is an important organ in our body that produces insulin. It is required to help the glucose pass to our cells from the blood. That is how energy is created, which is the fuel we require to function. When the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the glucose level in one’s blood increases. This can result in diabetes, which can lead to organ damage. Types of diabetes There are mainly three kinds of this disease. Type 1 diabetes It can be most commonly seen in children and adolescents. Having said that, it can occur at any age. The insulin production of one’s body decreases with this condition, and they require daily injections to control their glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes Around 90% of people who have diabetes suffer from this type. It is most commonly seen in adults and results in one’s body failing to properly use the insulin that is produced. It can be kept under control by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but one may also require medicine in the advanced stages. Gestational diabetes This can be seen during pregnancy if the glucose level in one’s blood increases. It can affect both the child and the mother.
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