Whenever a person sees their hands involuntarily or any kind of trembling, they may start to worry. For instance, some people have extreme difficulty while taking a photo because their hands involuntarily shake. The worry stems from the fact that tremors are conventionally seen to be a sign of Parkinson’s disease.
That conventional wisdom isn’t incorrect; tremors are a symptom of Parkinson’s disease. However, there are other kinds of tremors and other, non-Parkinson’s causes of tremors. Here’s how to distinguish essential tremors from those related to Parkinson’s disease.
Essential Tremors
Essential tremors are much more common than Parkinson’s related tremors. Essential tremor disorder is a neurological disorder marked by involuntary shaking, usually of the arms and hands. Unlike Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors aren’t typically fatal, but they can cause disability.
Essential tremors usually begin with mild but rapid tremors. Over time, these progress into more severe but less frequent tremors. Researchers aren’t sure about what causes these tremors, but they suspect that it’s inherited.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease refers to a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system because the neurons in the brain aren’t producing enough dopamine. Tremors are a well-known symptom of Parkinson’s disease, which is why tremors cause people to cower. These tremors typically begin on one side of the body and move to the other. They’re also severe and low-frequency, like a progressed essential tremor disorder.
However, Parkinson’s disease also presents with other symptoms that help distinguish it from essential tremors. For instance, it also presents with worsening balance and slower movements.
The Differences
Here are some of the differences to look out for when trying to distinguish Parkinson’s disease from essential tremors:
- Parkinson’s disease presents with other symptoms that worsen health, such as difficulty balancing or stiffness.
- Essential tremors can affect the larynx, whereas Parkinson’s-related tremors do not.
- Parkinson’s-related tremors are more intense when at rest, whereas essential tremors are more intense while moving.
- Parkinson’s disease will shorten a person’s lifespan because of its degenerative effects on the brain and central nervous system. Essential tremors can become worse over time, but they don’t damage the nervous system.
Distinguish Parkinson’s disease from essential tremors can be difficult and time-consuming on your own. For instance, it’s impossible to know if your tremors are a symptom of something shortening your lifespan until it’s too late.
If you have tremors and suspect that you have Parkinson’s disease, visit one of my Parkinson’s disease specialist clinics in Los Angeles or Huntington Beach. My name is Dr. Farzin Pedouim, and I’m a Parkinson’s disease and tremor specialist working in the aforementioned areas. Get in touch, and I’ll diagnose your tremors.
