15 Lesser-Known Signs That May Point to Parkinson’s Disease

9. Issues with Sleep

Issues with sleep can sometimes be an early sign of Parkinson's disease. With that said, many other conditions can lead to sleep problems. Some individuals find they experience sleep issues before they note any motor control issues. Because doctors tend not to consider Parkinson's disease until motor symptoms begin, this might not always aid in early diagnosis. Several different sleep issues often occur in Parkinson's disease patients. Some experience insomnia, nightmares, and excessive sleepiness during the day. 'Sleep attacks' are also possible, which are episodes in which someone involuntarily falls asleep. REM sleep behavioral disorders may occur, and these can cause patients to act out their dreams because their bodies aren't paralyzed during sleep. Restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movement disorder are also common, as is sleep apnea, a condition that causes individuals to stop breathing intermittently during the night. Some patients report nocturia, which is a frequent need to get up and urinate during the night. Studies have also found associations between Parkinson's disease and narcolepsy.

10. Constipation

The majority of cases of constipation are related to dehydration or to not having enough dietary fiber, but it can also sometimes be a sign of Parkinson's disease, particularly when it is ongoing. Constipation occurs when there's an increased amount of time between bowel movements, and when stool becomes more difficult to pass, even though individuals haven't made any significant changes to their diet or the amount of liquid they drink. Some Parkinson's disease patients experience constipation because the autonomic nervous system functions improperly. This part of the nervous system helps regulate the activity of the smooth muscles in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal muscles aren't working as effectively as they should be, it can lead to constipation. There are also some medications to treat Parkinson's disease that can cause constipation. In these cases, the constipation is a side effect of the treatment rather than an underlying symptom of illness.