An ex-BBC presenter recently shared that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Mark Mardell said that he first spotted symptoms when he was struggling to open Waitrose packaging. The 65-year-old was a Europe and North America editor for BBC News and hosted The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4.
He shared the news of his diagnosis on Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch podcast. He said: "I'm feeling fine and dandy, but I have to share with you that I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which means my voice is rather strange and weak... I've lost a bit of my boom."
Discussing early signs, Mark said: "I started thinking at the beginning of the year, Waitrose are making their packaging really hard to get into these days. What's this about?
"And then I found my arms suddenly lifting above my head for no particular reason, or at least staying there."
Mark says that he is now receiving medication, and is keeping positive. He even joked that if he gets into gambling it should be blamed on the pills as his doctors told him that his prescription can make patients act impulsively.
The news of Mark's diagnosis may leave some wondering about potential warning signs, so here is key information around Parkinson's disease symptoms and what to do if you are experiencing them.
Parkinson's disease symptoms
Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged. It may cause physical and mental problems and can get worse over time.
Early Parkinson's symptoms tend to be mild but can gradually develop over time, according to Scotland's NHS Inform. The three main symptoms that people should look out for are as follows:
- tremor – shaking, which usually begins in the hand or arm and is more likely to occur when the limb is relaxed and resting
- slowness of movement – where physical movements are much slower than normal, which can make everyday tasks difficult and can result in a distinctive slow, shuffling walk with very small steps
- muscle stiffness – stiffness and tension in the muscles, which can make it difficult to move around and make facial expressions, and can result in painful muscle cramps
The order in which people develop symptoms can vary and in some instances only some of the symptoms will be experienced by a Parkinson's sufferer. There are also several other symptoms that someone with the condition may experience.
Parkinson's UK have outlined eight further early symptoms that are worth looking out for:
- Problems with your sleep
- Losing your sense of smell
- Smaller handwriting
- Problems with your bladder or bowels
- Experiencing depression
- Experiencing anxiety
- Feeling fatigued
As highlighted in the above symptoms, Parkinson's can have an impact on both a person's physical and mental health, which is why it is important to spot warning signs early on. While there is no cure for the condition at this time, there are treatments that help maintain quality of life.
The earlier Parkinson's is caught, the sooner a patient can receive these treatments, which can include physiotherapy and occupational therapy, medication, and in some cases, brain surgery.
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms and are concerned, you should see your GP for medical advice.
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