Living with a movement disorder can be frustrating. Often confused with Parkinson's because of similar symptoms, essential tremor is a neurological disorder whose main characteristic is tremor, the two conditions have different symptoms and are not related to each other.
In the case of essential tremors, agitation normally happens when you are in motion, decreasing when you are at rest, unlike Parkinson's, which manifests itself mainly at rest, when the person is still. Although less known, essential tremor is one of the most common neurological disorders that exist. It is estimated that 20% of the population over 65 years of age may have the disease at some point in their lives.
ssential tremor
It is a neurological disorder that affects men and women equally, causing involuntary tremors almost always in the hands, arms, and head and may affect the tongue, making it difficult to speak. It can manifest at any age, but the patient will only have some type of more serious limitation when he gets older, from 50 years old.
For many people, it can be mild and not even interfere with everyday life. In severe cases, however, it can cause deficiencies. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor to evaluate your condition, if the tremor develops.
The disturbance usually begins with low amplitude, and mild tremors, which may have a higher frequency, that is, with many repetitions per second. As the disease progresses, which can happen with age, the tremors themselves may become more severe, but less often.
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Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's occurs when nerve cells in the brain don't produce enough dopamine. The disease progresses over time, leading to its worsening. It occurs more often in men and usually develops after age 60.
Tremor is one of the most well-known symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which leads many people to seek medical attention for evaluation. This symptom usually starts in the hands-on one side of the body and progresses to the other side. The movements tend to be more vigorous (high amplitude), with less frequency.
The disease also includes other symptoms that are often more common than the tremor itself and that help to distinguish it from essential tremors, such as rigidity in the body, stooped posture, slow movements, and problems with balance.
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Recognizing the differences
The best therapy will depend on the correct diagnosis. The two conditions have important differences to be analyzed:
* Essential tremor does not cause any associated health problems, while Parkinson's carries with it other symptoms.
* Essential tremors are most often felt during movement; in Parkinson's, tremors are more felt when at rest.
* Essential tremor symptoms may worsen over time, but do not necessarily shorten the patient's lifespan. Parkinson's disease tends to progress and can shorten a patient's lifespan as the brain produces less and less dopamine.
Medications, physical therapy, deep brain stimulation, and other techniques can be used to manage tremors, depending on their severity. But remember: all treatment must follow the guidelines of a health professional.
