Handwriting Changes Indicates Development Of Parkinson’s Disease

In Parkinson’s disease, the nerve cells located deep within the brain become damaged, and over time, it causes a huge part of the brain to sustain damage as well. Among the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremors or the involuntary shaking of certain parts of the body, stiff and inflexible muscles, and slow movement. Another symptom of Parkinson’s disease is a noticeable change in the handwriting of a person.

A Sign In Handwriting

According to the Mayo Clinic, patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease may find it hard to write. If they manage to write at all, the penmanship may appear illegible or small.

This is known as micrographia. It is characterized by tiny or cramped handwriting. Those suffering from the condition may also find they start their handwriting normally, then as they continue writing, the penmanship becomes progressively smaller.

The Reason

Parkinson’s Foundation said that it is true handwriting may change as you grow older. This is particularly true if your hands or fingers feel stiff from bone and muscle conditions like arthritis. It may also occur if you are suffering from poor vision.

Micrographia, however, which is characterized by small and cramped handwriting, is an indication of Parkinson’s disease. In fact, it is among the early symptoms of the disease.

Aside from small and crowded words, the size of the handwriting becomes smaller as you continue writing. The same brain processes that lead to various movement symptoms of Parkinson’s cause micrographia. Additionally, symptoms like rigidity, slowness of movement, and tremor, contribute to a Parkinson’s patient experiencing difficulty in writing.

Other Parkinson ’s Disease Symptoms

According to the National Health Service, those suffering from Parkinson’s disease may also experience a broad range of other psychological and physical symptoms. These include anosmia or loss of the sense of smell, memory problems, and insomnia, or difficulty sleeping. Patients have also reported having problems with their balance, causing many Parkinson’s sufferers to fall down.

If you are worried you are starting to feel symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, it is best you immediately consult a doctor. Your doctor could prescribe a good treatment program for you to alleviate the symptoms, or he could refer you to a specialist who could recommend the best treatment for you.