Parkinson’s disease: Four changes in your speech you should not ignore – early signs

Billy Connolly says he can't use his left hand due to Parkinson's

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As well as having an impact on movement, there are several other symptoms and signs you may notice. Some of these signs can show up in a person’s voice. You should see your GP if you’re concerned you may have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It’s thought around one in 500 people are affected by Parkinson’s disease, according to the NHS. People with the condition can experience a range of different symptoms.

The Mayo Clinic says that some people experience speech changes.

It states: “You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than have the usual inflections.”

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) notes that in addition to motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, “changes in the voice are commonly experienced”.

It says that these are generally, these are believed to be at least partly due to bradykinesia. Greek for “slow movement,” bradykinesia is a frequent symptom of Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders.

The organisation states: “The voice may become softer, or it may start off strong and then fade away. There may be a loss of the normal variation in volume and emotion in the voice, so that the individual may speak in a monotone.

“In more advanced Parkinson’s, speaking may become rapid, with the words crowded together, or stuttering may occur.”

The Mayo Clinic notes that Parkinson’s disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone.

“Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides,” it states.

Other Parkinson’s signs and symptoms may include muscle stiffness, which can occur in any part of your body, and impaired posture and balance.

It adds: “You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.”

Some people also notice writing changes. It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

Parkinson’s UK notes that feelings of fatigue, which is tiredness that doesn’t go away however much someone rests, “affect up to half of people with Parkinson’s”.

It explains: “You may feel quite fit and able one day and then too fatigued to do much the following day.

The Mayo Clinic states: “See your doctor if you have any of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease — not only to diagnose your condition but also to rule out other causes for your symptoms.”

The NHS says: “Most people with Parkinson’s start to develop symptoms when they’re over 50, although around one in 20 people with the condition first experience symptoms when they’re under 40.”

Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, early diagnosis is important so that patients can receive the proper treatment and advice regarding care.

There are many different therapies and factors that can help in managing the condition.

For example, doing 2.5 hours of exercise a week can slow the progression of your symptoms, according to Parkinson’s UK.

The NHS suggests: ““See a GP if you’re concerned that you may have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

“They’ll ask about the problems you’re experiencing and may refer you to a specialist for further tests,” the site adds.

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