Unveiling the Early Indicator of Parkinson's: The Overlooked Nose Symptom

Parkinson's disease - a neurological disorder without a cure - plagues around 153,000 British people, displaying many symptoms including tremors in arms and hands. It's a unique experience for each person living with Parkinson's, as both the progression and the kind of symptoms they face can vary greatly.

The Overlooked Symptom:
Most of those wrestling with this condition are over 50, but there's one per cent who defy this statistic. The top three symptoms most known impact physical movement, yet there's an often-overlooked symptom that can manifest long before these more apparent issues - a decreased sense of smell, medically known as anosmia.

Early Indicator:
According to the NHS, the primary signs of Parkinson's are: The condition also comes with various mental symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and memory problems. And for some, one of the earliest signs of Parkinson's is a loss of smell, or anosmia, reports Surrey Live. The NHS has suggested that this symptom "sometimes occurs several years before other symptoms develop", including those related to movement.

Significance of the Symptom:
Painson's UK reveals that up to 95% of those with the condition experience a loss or reduction in their sense of smell "to some degree". While it may be seen as a "hidden" symptom, its impact is significant for those who can no longer smell their food, potentially leading to further consequences. The charity stated: "Loss of smell can affect people in different ways. We rely on our sense of smell to taste food, so reduced smell can lead to weight loss or weight gain. It can also affect your mood, relationships and overall quality of life. In addition, the loss of smell can affect your safety – for example, being unable to smell food burning. It does not respond to Parkinson's medication, so is unlikely to get better even with this treatment."