RELATED: If You Notice This While Eating, It Could Be an Early Sign of Parkinson’s. Experts say that a stooped or bent posture can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Pharmacist Seamus Flynn and his wife, oncologist Dearbhaile Collins, PhD, explain that, “Parkinson’s affects the autonomic nervous system, which leads to a loss of control of automatic activities … A stooped or hunched posture would normally cause a response from the brain to correct the posture and stand up straight, but this response is missing in Parkinson’s due to under-activation of the autonomic nervous system.” According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, these changes in posture can include stooped or rounded shoulders, decreased lower back curve, or a forward lean of the head or whole body that makes you look hunched over. RELATED: 96 Percent of People With Parkinson’s Have This in Common, Study Says. In addition to the changes to your autonomic nervous system, there are a few other reasons people with Parkinson’s experience stooped or hunched posture. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, possible contributing factors include being in one position for too long, concentrating on another activity, and muscle stiffness or rigidityae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb “Since people affected by Parkinson’s disease lose control over their muscles to a certain degree, they experience uncontrolled stiffening of limbs,” explains family physician Waqas Ahmad, MBBS. This stiffening can contribute to a hunched posture. Per the Parkinson’s Foundation, having a stooped posture can have adverse effects, so it’s important to try to maintain good, upright posture. The foundation says bad posture can lead to neck and back pain, a loss of flexibility, and being off balance and potentially falling. Additionally, “stooped posture reduces your ability to take deep breaths, which impacts your ability to speak clearly and loudly. Stooped posture also reduces eye contact,” the organization notes. Since Parkinson’s can also cause you to speak more quietly and to have reduced facial expression, this can make it even harder to communicate. The Parkinson’s Foundation suggests using a mirror to check your posture throughout the day, changing positions often, taking movement breaks, getting back or neck cushions, and trying tai chi. RELATED: For more health content delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Stooped or hunched posture isn’t the only early sign of Parkinson’s to keep an eye out for. Ahmad says that tremors, slowed movement, rigid muscles, and a reduction or loss of smell can also be early symptoms of the disease. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, you may also experience small handwriting, trouble sleeping, trouble walking, constipation, a low voice, and dizziness. If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. RELATED: If You Do This at Night, It May Be an Early Sign of Parkinson’s, Study Says.
