Hand tremors (shaking) may be a sign of essential tremor but can also be seen in Parkinson disease. Find out the difference between essential tremors and Parkinson disease.
Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder that causes involuntary shaking of your hands, head, voice, trunk or legs to shake rhythmically. It may be confused with Parkinson disease but your neurologist can help you distinguish between the two neurological disorders.
How Essential Tremor Is Different From Parkinson Disease?
Essential tremor affects one hand and then progresses to both hands.
- The tremor occurs when you move or perform activities like writing or eating.
- The tremor may appear worse with stress, caffeine, or certain medications.
- Small amounts of alcohol may improve your tremor.
- The tremor goes away during sleep or when your body relaxes.
- We do not know the cause for essential tremor.
Unlike essential tremor, Parkinson disease has many other signs and symptoms affecting people over 65.
- The tremor seen in Parkinson disease is asymmetric, occurring in one hand at rest.
- You may have slower movements that can affect your walking and getting out of chairs.
- Your muscles may feel rigid and posture is stooped. These symptoms can make you feel off balance and prone to falls.
- Your speech can be softer and handwriting is smaller.
Parkinson disease is caused by the loss of dopamine due to degeneration of an area in your brain called the substantia nigra.
The diagnosis of both essential tremor and Parkinson disease starts with a thorough detailed history and physical examination. Your neurologist may order a blood test to check your electrolytes, thyroid function and liver function. Your doctor may send you for an imaging of the brain to exclude other structural causes of your tremor.
What Are Effective Treatments For Tremors?
If your essential tremor is mild and does not affect your daily activities, then you do not need treatment. However, if your tremor progresses making it difficult for you to eat or perform daily tasks then certain medications can help your tremor. Primidone, an anti-seizure medication, and Propranolol, a blood pressure medication, can reduce tremors in 50-70% of essential tremor patients.
The treatment for Parkinson disease tremor is supplementing your dopamine with Levodopa.
Both essential tremor and Parkinson disease tremor that fail to respond to medication can be treated with minor brain surgery.