Check Out Symptom That Appears 5 Years Before A Parkinson's Diagnosis

Parkinson' s disease (PD) is a nervous system ailment that causes progressive mobility problems. Currently, almost one million Americans suffer with the disease, with 60, 000 new instances diagnosed each year.

The symptoms of this condition usually appear gradually and increase with time, and they are typically neglected until more serious indicators appear. New research reveals that symptoms might arise up to five years before a diagnosis, as well as what to do if this happens to you.

Tremor is the most prevalent symptom of Parkinson' s disease, although there are several others that regularly manifest in PD patients. Slow movement (bradykinesia), tight muscles, lack of automatic movements, trouble speaking, poor balance, altered posture, and changes in one' s handwriting are among the symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

According to Simonet' s research, which was published in JAMA Neurology in March 2022, hearing loss is one non- motor symptom that can appear five years before a Parkinson' s diagnosis.

Simonet and her colleagues examined health data from almost one million patients in East London, England, and discovered that some Parkinson' s symptoms appeared earlier than previously thought. Patients with significant hearing loss who needed a referral for a hearing test were more likely to develop Parkinson' s disease in the next five years than those who did not.

While the existence of a single symptom is insufficient to diagnose Parkinson' s disease, detecting a pattern of symptoms can. As a result, including hearing loss on your list of possible red flags may make it easier for you to express your problems to your doctor.

Check Out Some Of The Reasons Why Parkinson' s Disease Causes Hearing Loss

Parkinson' s disease primarily affects the elderly, and hearing loss is more common in this group. However, research suggests that Parkinson' s disease has a direct impact on hearing.

"Auditory dysfunction is a prevalent non- motor manifestation of early- onset PD, and it is more common in younger patients, indicating that it may be independent of age, " according to a study published in the Journal of Movement Disorders in 2019. (JMD).

Parkinson's disease patients have reduced dopamine concentrations in their brains, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to experts, low dopamine levels can cause damage to the cochlea, an inner ear cavity that causes hearing loss.

Maintaining a good social network is beneficial to everyone' s health, but it' s especially vital for people with Parkinson' s disease. Getting your hearing checked and, if necessary, a hearing aid can help you stay in touch with the people you care about.

If you detect changes in your hearing, talk to your doctor, especially if you have other Parkinson' s symptoms.