People who experience uncontrolled arms, head, or leg movement and have shaking hands are generally concluded to have Parkinsonian syndrome. However, essential tremor is another medical condition that reflects similar symptoms, and this results in adding confusion to people. Both these movement disorders are different and require distinct treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to understand their differences to prevent tangling up their diagnosis and treatment.
Basics of Perkinson’s Disease
The human brain, known as the substantia nigra is responsible for producing the neurotransmitter dopamine. The death of the cells of this brain part results in troubled movement of the body. This medical disorder is termed Parkinson disease. Generally, this disorder occurs randomly and is thought to be caused by exposure to air pollution, herbicides, or pesticides. However, in certain cases, the onset of this disease is also linked to a genetic mutation.
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:
- Rigidity and stiffness of muscles.
- Difficulty with coordination and balance.
- The slow movement of body parts.
- Increased tremor in jaw, head, and upper limbs.
Some patients experience complications like:
- Trouble swallowing and speaking
- Depression
- Constipation or reduced bladder control
- Disturbed sleep
- Flaky or oily skin development
Basics of Essential Tremor
It is a common neurological disorder that results in uncontrolled tremors. However, these body movements are barely visible or cause serious problems to patients during regular activities. Research shows that nearly 50% of ET problems are caused by a genetic mutation. Although scientists are yet to find the exact reason for ET, it is generally believed that changes to the cerebellum and brainstem play a significant role in the development of Essential tremors.
The common symptoms of ET include the following:
- Tremor during body movements.
- Both sides of the body are affected.
- Tremor worsens due to fatigue, stress, and strong emotion.
- Difficulty in fine motor body movements.
- Arms and hands are more affected than other body parts.
Diagnosis: Parkinson’s Disease vs Essential Tremor
For accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, doctors use body imaging and blood tests along with examining the medical history and symptoms of patients. The most crucial tests that help in the proper diagnosis of this condition include MRI and DaTscan, which provides information on dopamine level in the brain. In addition, some medical professionals use transcranial sonography, which is known to distinguish Parkinson’s from ET.
On the other hand, for the diagnosis of Essential tremor, doctors look at the medical history, physical examination results, and symptoms. A single test doesn’t allow the accurate diagnosis of Essential tremor. To rule out certain conditions associated with ET symptoms, doctors conduct the following tests:
- Urine test
- Blood tests
- Body imaging
- Neurological exams
Critical Differences between Parkinson’s Disease and Essential tremor
Proper diagnosis of a disease is the primary factor for getting appropriate treatment. This is specifically essential when two diseases have very similar symptoms. To prevent ambiguity in ET and Parkinsonian syndrome, here are the critical differences between the two:
| Parkinson’s disease | Essential tremor |
| Uncontrolled body movements occur at high amplitude and slow frequency. | Tremor occurrence ranges from high to low and repeated at high frequency. |
| Patients experience tremors during rest. | Patients experience it when their body is under movement. |
| It rarely occurs due to genetic reasons. | More than 50% of the patients have a family history of ET. |
| It generally develops in patients above 55 years of age. | Middle-aged people generally develop this condition. However, it can develop at any time in life. |
| It starts at one side of the body and progresses to the other side. | It affects both sides equally. |
| Certain cases improve when patients undergo levodopa treatment. | Some cases improve with propranolol and primidone treatment. |
| Its effect on the patient’s head and voice is negligible. | Tremor affects the voice and head of the patients. |
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Presently, there is no medical treatment that can slow down or prevent this condition. However, the following are some treatment options to manage the symptoms:
Medication: Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease are generally prescribed Levodopa or carbidopa medicines. However, doctors advise patients to take other medicines depending upon their individual health conditions.
Surgery: Deep brain stimulation is another treatment option doctors prescribe to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Therapy to improve speech and body movement: Along with surgery and oral medications, doctors advise patients to undergo therapy sessions to acquire control of their body movements.
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Essential Tremor Treatment
Treatment for ET includes surgery, oral medicines, and therapy to reduce the effects of sudden tremors. These options are as follows:
Oral medicines: Medicines like Propranolol and primidone are advised by doctors to reduce repeated tremor occurrence.
Surgery: In addition to medicines, invasive technique surgery like deep brain stimulation is recommended to patients depending upon their condition.
Therapy: To enhance the effects of medicines and surgery, patients need to undergo therapy sessions for speech and physical movement.
Conclusion
Although ET and Parkinson’s disease cause uncontrolled body movements, there are certain differences in their diagnosis and treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms of these two disorders, consider consulting the best neurologist in Mumbai at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, who are well-qualified and experienced in conducting appropriate diagnoses to provide the best treatment for your condition.
