Lifestyle

Smaller Handwriting and a Softer Voice Can Be Early Signs of Parkinson’s. Other Early Signs Worth Knowing

By Erica Coleman · October 27, 2026

A shaking hand is the sign most people associate with Parkinson’s disease. The earliest changes are often quieter: handwriting that shrinks on the page, a voice that others say has grown too soft, or a face that looks serious even in a good mood.

Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination, according to the National Institute on Aging. Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. The institute says most people first develop the disease after age 60, and some research suggests it affects more men than women.

The NIA says early symptoms are subtle, and friends or family members may be the first to notice them. The Parkinson’s Foundation says no single sign means you should worry, but having more than one is a reason to consider talking with a doctor. These are signs the foundation and federal health agencies describe.

Smaller handwriting. The foundation says letters may get smaller and words more crowded together than in the past. The NIA describes handwriting that is slow and looks cramped or small. Writing can also change with stiff fingers or poor vision.

A soft or low voice. People may be told their voice is very soft, breathy or hoarse. The foundation notes that you might think other people are losing their hearing when you are actually speaking more softly. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says speech may sound quiet or flat, without much change in tone.

A tremor at rest. A slight shaking in a finger, thumb, hand or chin while at rest is a common early sign, the foundation says. NINDS notes the tremor often begins in a hand and is most obvious when the hand is at rest or a person is under stress. Some people never develop a tremor.

A masked face. Being told you look serious, depressed or angry when you are not in a bad mood can be a sign, called facial masking.

Loss of smell. Trouble smelling foods such as bananas, dill pickles or licorice is worth asking a doctor about, the foundation says. A cold or stuffy nose can dull smell temporarily.

Acting out dreams. Thrashing in bed or acting out dreams during deep sleep may be a sign. NINDS calls dream enactment REM sleep behavior disorder.

Stiffness and walking changes. Stiffness in the body, arms or legs that does not go away with movement, arms that no longer swing when walking, or feet that seem stuck to the floor.

Constipation. Straining to move the bowels, when diet or medicine does not explain it.

Dizziness on standing. Often feeling dizzy when getting up from a chair can be a sign of low blood pressure linked to Parkinson’s.

Stooping. Leaning, slouching or hunching over when standing.

According to the NIA, many people with Parkinson’s say sleep problems, constipation, loss of smell and restless legs came before stiffness and tremor. Some of these can occur with normal aging, so the institute suggests talking with a doctor if they worsen or interfere with daily life. Symptoms often begin on one side of the body.

There is no single test that can definitively diagnose Parkinson’s, according to NINDS. The NIA says doctors usually rely on a medical history and a neurological exam. Because other disorders can cause similar symptoms and need different treatments, the institute stresses getting an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible. There is no cure, but medicines, surgery and other therapies can often relieve some symptoms.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.