Impaired Sense of Smell in Parkinson’s Disease
One of the common secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is a diminished sense of smell. Medical professionals attribute this symptom to alterations in the olfactory bulb, which serves as the main hub for processing smell signals in the brain. This condition, known as hyposmia, often manifests before more noticeable Parkinson’s symptoms emerge. Interestingly, many individuals may not even realize they are experiencing a reduced sense of smell as it tends to go unnoticed. However, recent research has revealed that this symptom is quite prevalent, affecting over 90 percent of people in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Sialorrhea: Excessive Saliva and Drooling in Parkinson’s Disease
Sialorrhea, characterized by excessive saliva and drooling, is a common symptom experienced by individuals with Parkinson’s disease. While some physicians consider it as a motor symptom, others believe it is primarily caused by difficulties in swallowing, known as dysphagia, or other automatic actions of the body. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, individuals may experience a reduction in these automatic actions, leading to difficulties in swallowing and an accumulation of saliva in the mouth, resulting in excessive drooling. The severity of drooling is directly correlated with the challenge of swallowing for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.