Jan 4, 20232 min read

What are the common and uncommon symptoms of Young Onset Parkinson disease?

Neurologist explaining common and uncommon Parkinson disease symptoms to a youngpatient — Neurologist explaining common and uncommon Young Onset Parkinson disease symptoms

When a person under the age of 50 is diagnosed with Parkinson disease, this is called a Young Onset Parkinson disease (YOPD). Most people with idiopathic, or typical, Parkinson's disease develop symptoms when they are 50 or older.

In the UK, 1 out of 20 people who have Parkinson disease are under the age of 50. The symptoms of Young Onset Parkinson disease are quite similar to Late Onset Parkinson disease.

With regards to children and teenagers, it is very rare to see Parkinson symptoms appear. But when it does, this type of Parkinsonism is called ''Juvenile Parkinsonism'', and is frequently associated with specific, high-Parkinson Disease risk genetic mutations.

There are 2 classifications of Parkinson disease (even in the Young Onset or the Juvenile forms) signs and symptoms:

1. Motor symptoms: affecting physical movement. Many of the motor symptoms of Parkinson disease are mild at first and may affect only one side of the body. The symptoms usually spread to both sides of the body over time, but they are often worse on the side where they began.

2. Non-motor symptoms: affecting thinking, mood, sleep, sense of smell, and a variety of other body parts and functions. Nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease don't affect movement, but rather your mood, senses, and ability to think.

Similar to late onset, Young Onset Parkinson disease is diagnosed with the below symptoms:

1. Slowness in movements (Bradykinesia in medical terms): Many people with Parkinson's disease experience arm, leg, or torso stiffness.

2. Shaking (Resting tremor in medical terms): These shaking movements, which do not occur in all Parkinson's patients, are most noticeable when you are at rest. Tremors frequently affect only one hand, but they can also cause shaking of the chin, lips, face, and legs. When only the hands or fingers are affected, the tremor is sometimes referred to as "pill rolling," because the person appears to be rolling small objects or pills in their hands.

3. Muscle stiffness (Akinesia in medical terms): A slowing of movement that affects all Parkinson's patients. It can make coordinated arm and hand movement difficult, making walking and standing difficult.

4. Postural instability (Ataxia in medical terms): Loss of balance is common in the later stages of Parkinson's disease.