Most frequently, symptoms like shaky hands or involuntary movements within the legs are related to Parkinson’s disease. But, they may additionally be indicators of a less severe neurological condition called essential tremor.

For the reason that diagnosis is commonly confusing, it’s important to grasp the differences between the 2.

What is crucial tremor?

It’s a neurological disorder that may affect any a part of the body, causing involuntary shaking, but it surely often affects the hands. Essential tremor isn’t a life-threatening condition and should not pose serious problems. Nevertheless, in some cases, the disorder can slowly worsen over time and cause disability.

The precise reason behind essential tremors isn’t known, but studies show the condition is commonly inherited. It often occurs in those above the age of 40, but can affect people at any age.

Symptoms of essential tremor:

• Involuntary shaking that begins regularly and is more evident on one side of the body
• The trembling worsens with movement
• Aspects comparable to stress, fatigue, caffeine and temperature extremes aggravate the symptoms
• Affects fantastic motor movement
• Uncontrolled head-nodding

Parkinson’s disease

It is usually a neurological condition that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements that worsen over time. Because the disease progresses, patients have difficulty walking, talking and should show mental and behavioral changes, disruptions in sleep, depression, issues with memory and fatigue.

The condition often affects people after the age of 60. Nevertheless, about 5% to 10% experience the symptoms before the age of fifty. Parkinson’s disease isn’t generally hereditary, but in some cases, a mixture of genetic and environmental aspects, comparable to exposure to toxins, may trigger the condition.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:

• Tremors in hands, arms, legs, jaw or head
• Stiffness of muscle
• Slow gait
• Issues with balance and coordination
• Depression
• Stooped posture
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing and speaking
• Urinary problems or issues with bowel movements
• Skin problems
• Difficulty to put in writing and changes in handwriting

Know the differences between the 2

1. Essential tremor is essentially the most common type of tremor that affects about 5% of individuals over age 60. Parkinson’s affects lower than 1% of the whole world population.

2. The trembling is of low amplitude (the gap the hand travels during a tremor) and high frequency in essential tremor, while patients with Parkinson’s suffer from high amplitude, low frequency shaking.

3. Parkinson’s disease is accompanied by a variety of symptoms and tremor is certainly one of them.

4. The symptoms often improve with alcohol in case of essential tremors. Nevertheless, it isn’t a treatment for the condition. The consumption of alcohol doesn’t improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

5. The symptoms of essential tremor are evident during movement, while Parkinson’s symptoms are mostly seen during rest.

Published by Medicaldaily.com