World Parkinson’s Day 2025: 13 early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease no one talks about

Parkinson's disease symptoms: Many people think of Parkinson’s as a disease of tremors and stiffness, but the early signs are often much more varied, warn experts (Image: Canva)

Parkinson’s disease often starts much before the typical tremors or muscle stiffness appear. Early signs are usually subtle, easy to dismiss, and often mistaken for normal ageing. However, spotting these clues can make all the difference.

Before the more obvious motor symptoms kick in, Parkinson’s often announces itself through subtle changes like smaller handwriting, trouble sleeping, or a muted sense of smell, says  Dr Virajrao Kore, Consultant Geriatrician, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune. “These may be early indicators of something deeper. Many people think of Parkinson’s as a disease of tremors and stiffness, but the early signs are often much more varied,” he explains.

The smallest signs, says Dr Kore, matter. “From sleep disturbances to shifts in posture or voice, these early clues often show up years before a diagnosis is made. Unfortunately, many go unnoticed or are attributed to stress, ageing, or lifestyle," he says.

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"The problem isn’t that the signs don’t exist," warns says Dr Kore, “but that people don’t know what to look for. A person might visit different specialists for constipation or depression without realising these could be early signs of Parkinson’s. Recognising these symptoms early helps neurologists to step in with medical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and support systems that slow progression and improve day-to-day functioning.”

Dr Kore lists the following 13 early symptoms of Parkinson's:

• Shrinking handwriting (Micrographia): Handwriting becomes noticeably smaller or cramped.
• Loss of smell (Anosmia): A fading or total loss of smell, sometimes years before motor symptoms.
• Acting out dreams: Shouting, kicking, or moving during sleep (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder).
• Stiffness or rigidity: A sense of tightness in the arms, legs, or trunk not due to exertion.
• Reduced arm swing: One arm doesn’t swing while walking or feels stiffer than the other.
• Stooped posture: A subtle slouch or forward lean that wasn’t there before.
• Less expressive face (Hypomimia): Fewer facial movements, appearing flat or emotionless
• Soft or monotone voice (Hypophonia): A quieter or more monotone speech pattern
• Persistent constipation: Unexplained constipation that doesn’t respond to diet changes.

• Mood changes: Depression or anxiety, even before diagnosis, linked to brain chemistry shifts.
• Fatigue: Feeling drained, even after rest, with no clear reason.
• Dizziness or fainting: Especially when standing up, due to blood pressure drops.
• Aches and pains: Unexplained discomfort in limbs or joints that are similar to ageing or arthritis.