DYK? There are an estimated 12,000 people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in the Upstate. ~60,000 Americans are diagnosed each year, and that number is expected to double by 2040.

Many people have a loved one who has struggled with PD – oftentimes, it is an older family member or friend, but the disease affects people as young as 20 years old with symptoms like restless sleep, dizziness, and more.

Local nonprofit Greenville Area Parkinson Society (GAPS) is shining the light on Parkinson’s locally with education, advocacy, and support for their near 1,400 members. But, with the national stats being so high, they say there are many people in the Upstate who may not know they have Parkinson’s yet.

Like any other health concern, the best way to understand Parkinson’s Disease is to learn about the early signs related to PD and consult a doctor if needed. Here are a few (seemingly harmless) symptoms to look out for:

Shaky hands. If you’ve noticed a slight shaking in your hands or face recently, it could be more serious than too much caffeine. ☕
Change in voice. If your friends have asked you to repeat your statements a lot lately or it sounds like you have a cold constantly, the voice change could be an early sign of PD.
Small handwriting. If your note-taking has started to look smaller and more crowded, it could be time to see a doctor (especially if you can’t even read your own writing anymore).
See 7 more signs of early PD here.

Think you’re too young to get PD? Watch this video of Kevin Konz, local Young Onset member of GAPS, tell his story about discovering he had early-onset Parkinson’s during a round of golf. He hopes he can use his story to help support others with early PD. Ⓟ