Most people associate Parkinson’s disease with the image of tremors, rigidity of the limbs, and slowness of movement. What people are shocked to learn is that diminished sense of smell can come years before the well-known movement symptoms develop. Actually, the diminished sense of smell is one of the first early signs of Parkinson’s.

The loss of the sense of smell does not automatically indicate the presence of Parkinson’s Disease, but when it is present with the other neurological signs, it can’t be ignored. Knowing the cause and recognizing the early signs can allow people to get medical help early, and start them on the treatment they need early.

What Exactly is Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a slow-progressing neurological condition where the brain cells which produce dopamine—the brain neurotransmitter responsible for movement—are damaged. With a greater loss of dopamine, the greater the symptoms of loss of movement, balance, and coordination.

In addition to the loss of movement, the other symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are loss of sleep, constipation, loss of mood, and loss of sense of smell.

How Can Parkinson’s Disease Change the Sense of Smell?

The answer is in the early stages of research, but it is speculated that as Parkinson’s Disease starts to damage the brain areas that control smell, it is affecting the areas that control movement.

This may cause an individual to recognize difficulty with smell much earlier than with the classic signs of Parkinson’s, like tremors and stiffness. Some of the symptoms may develop slowly and be overlooked. Others may even notice them first.

Signs to Watch for Early On

A reduced sense of smell, which is called hyposmia, can negatively impact day-to-day life. Some examples of this include an inability to smell coffee or food that has been freshly prepared. Others may be unable to smell flowers, perfumes, or even smoke.

Some of the symptoms that may appear early on and may be even more noticeable than the loss of smell include:

• Constipation
• Sleep disturbances and acting out dreams
• Mild tremors
• Stiffness in the muscles
• A decrease in general body movement
• A change softening of the voice including a loss of volume
• Writing that is smaller and harder to read
• Problems with balance

Having any of the symptoms on the list does not mean that a person has Parkinson’s. It is recommended that, when symptoms like these appear, a neurologist should be consulted.

Additionally, Loss of Smell Can Be Caused By

Other things that can cause a loss or reduction of smell include:

• Old age
• Sinus infections
• Infections of the nasopharynx
• Allergies
• Viral infections
• Head trauma
• Smoking
• Certain prescription medications

Because so many different things can cause a loss or reduction of smell, it is important to get a medical evaluation to rule out or treat any of the other many options.

How Are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease Confirmed?

There is no one test that can confirm the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, but it is based on the examination of a person’s history and the presence of neurological symptoms.

Your neurologist may recommend doing the following:

• Taking a more detailed medical history
• Conducting physical and neurological examinations
• Assessing movement, balance and reflexes and reviewing non-motor symptoms, including changes in the sense of smell
• Performing brain imaging, such as MRI, to rule out other conditions
• Conducting smell identification tests, among other things, in select cases of other assessments

These assessments can help determine whether your symptoms relate to Parkinson’s disease or a different neurological disorder.

Management and Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. However, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be managed, and the quality of life of the patient can be drastically improved.

Medications that either increase the level of dopamine in the body or substitute for dopamine can control the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy can help sustain mobility and independence, as well as address communication.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, having a balanced diet and remaining socially active is also beneficial. Since loss of smell can result in eating less as well as difficulty detecting spoiled food, patients need to be cautious with food safety and also ensure that there are functional smoke detectors in their homes.

When Should You See a Neurologist?

Loss of smell can sometimes be the first visible symptom of Parkinson’s disease. However, if you have recently experienced a loss of smell and you are not ill or infected, e.g. not having a cold or sinus infection, signifying loss of smell, you should seek an appointment with a neurologist, especially if you are also experiencing other symptoms, such as tremors, rigidity, reduced movement, impaired balance and other neurological symptoms.

Conclusion

One of the first non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is decreased smell, and it could occur several years before movement symptoms begin. There are various other illnesses where the sense of smell is affected, but if the changes are persistent, it is best to see a doctor. It is better to diagnose early to know the cause and start treatment sooner for a good quality of life in the future.

At Royal Care Neurosciences, we have the best neurologists for a thorough assessment and early-stage treatment of Parkinson’s disease. With the latest diagnostic tools and treatments that are based on the most current research, we can help patients identify the early symptoms, control the disease, and continue to live a quality life.

FAQs

1. Can loss of smell be one of the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Yes. Loss of smell is one of the first symptoms of Parkinson’s and could happen years before the motor symptoms start.

2. Does everyone with Parkinson’s disease have loss of smell?

No. Many do have some level of loss of smell, but this varies, and not everyone will have this symptom.

3. Should I be concerned with loss of smell?

Not in many cases. This could be due to many things like sinus infections, allergies, viral infections, and even ageing. This warrants a visit to a neurologist if it becomes persistent or you start to develop other neurological symptoms.