Is it Parkinson’s or Essential Tremor? Understanding the Key Differences

Do your hands or other body parts shake when you use them – or you don’t? It could be you have an essential tremor, or you might have Parkinson’s disease. It’s important that you see a neurologist to determine the exact cause of the problem, as they’re two different conditions and treated very differently.

At Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, board-certified neurologist Dr. Cory Lamar and our team specialize in treating both tremor and Parkinson’s disease. That makes them uniquely qualified to determine the difference between the two and make an accurate diagnosis. Here, the team explains the key differences between the conditions and what they can do to help.

What is essential tremor?

Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder, which affects about 10 million people in the United States. You can develop the condition at any age, but it most commonly appears in your teenage years or when you’re between 40 and 50.

Tremors are periodic, rhythmic, and repetitive motions that you can’t control. The condition is  progressive, meaning it gets worse over time. However, it usually progresses slowly, so it may be years before you require treatment, if you need it at all.

Researchers believe tremor is a neurological condition, and about 50% of people who develop it have a family member who has it. In the other 50% of cases, the underlying cause isn’t known.

Essential tremor isn’t a life-threatening condition, nor does it affect your lifespan. However, it can lead to disability if the shaking becomes severe, as it becomes hard to feed or dress yourself on your own.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that also has tremors as one of its symptoms, but it has an entirely different cause. In addition, the tremors for Parkinson’s are most commonly seen when the body is at rest, not when it’s moving.

In Parkinson’s disease, neurons in the brain slowly break down or die. In fact, many of the disease’s symptoms are caused by the loss of cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Decreased dopamine leads to irregular brain activity, causing movement problems and other symptoms. Some of these symptoms are caused by a loss of another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, which controls body functions like blood pressure.

Symptoms usually start on one side of the body, then affect both sides, though they’re usually worse on one side than the other. Some of these include slowed movement (bradykinesia), difficulty blinking, rigid muscles, poor posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, and changes in your handwriting.

You may also have changes to your speech, such as speaking softly, slurring your words, having a flat tone, or hesitating before talking.

In addition, Parkinson’s comes with nonmotor symptoms, which include depression, anxiety, constipation, difficulty sleeping, acting out dreams, urinating frequently, memory issues, and bodily fatigue.

Parkinson's is most commonly diagnosed in people over 60, though some are diagnosed when they’re younger than 50. There’s no specific test for Parkinson’s, but, instead, the diagnosis is made based on your medical history, a review of your symptoms, and neurological and physical exams.

Treatment often relies on medications to replace the missing neurotransmitters and things like speech and occupational therapy to help with other symptoms.

Key takeaway

Essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease both have tremor as a symptom, but for the former, tremor is the primary symptom, and it usually occurs when you actively try to do something. For the latter, tremor is an early symptom, but it’s one of many, and it’s usually seen when you’re at rest.

If you’re experiencing tremors in any part of your body, Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, can help. Call our Naples, Florida, office at 239-667-5878 to set up a consultation with Dr. Lamar, or book online with us today.