Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor –

  • Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affects dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of ​​the brain called the substantia nigra.
  • Dopamine is a chemical messenger, that is, a central nervous system neurotransmitter produced in different parts of the brain.

What is Parkinson’s?

It is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects movement. Sometimes it starts with a barely noticeable tremor in only one hand. Tremors are common, although the disease also often causes stiffness or decreased movement.

In turn, essential tremor is a movement disorder that normally affects the hands, but can also affect the head, voice, and legs.

Essential tremor is not a life-threatening condition, but it can be life-altering. People with it often lose the ability to perform simple, everyday tasks like driving.

It should be taken into account that there are more than 20 different types of tremors; where essential tremor is the most frequent. One in 20 people over the age of 40 suffer from it and one in 5 people over the age of 65 have it, according to figures shared by the International Foundation for Essential Tremors. Although the average age of essential tremor onset is 40 years, it can appear for the first time at any age between childhood and old age.

Why is it important to detect them?

Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor share tremor in most cases.

Essential tremor limits people functionally by making most of their general care activities difficult and, additionally, there is a social isolation of the patient due to the fear of being stigmatized.

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Parkinson’s disease also has stiffness, gait difficulties, and other symptoms that can make daily activities more difficult.

Knowing its form of presentation allows consultation in a timely manner and thus receive adequate treatment. It is vitally important to differentiate these two diseases from others that may be similar.

Sleep disturbances, depression and other symptoms are disabling.

Know the symptoms

The initial symptoms may go unnoticed, although there may be evidence of a slight slowdown, tilting of the posture, decreased swing of the arms or dragging of one foot, decreased tone of voice or facial expression, difficulty getting up or down a car, small print or micrograph, and difficulty buttoning.

The diagnosis is eminently clinical and in most cases does not require special studies to suspect or confirm the diagnosis. However, in some circumstances, special tests may be indicated to help diagnose and manage these patients.

The first signs can be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often start on one side of the body and usually continue to get worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.

What is the treatment for these diseases?

The treatment of the two diseases is medical; each patient presents a variety of different symptoms and for each one there is a tailored treatment; This is why patients with these diseases should not be compared with other patients; no two patients are the same. There are treatments with medicines and in cases that present resistance to them, surgical interventions can be implemented that improve the quality of life of the patient and their family environment.

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What specialty helps you in the treatment of these diseases?

Treatment of abnormal movements is handled by clinical neurology; in cases in which control of a symptom is not achieved, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, psychiatry or other disciplines that may be invited according to their need will participate; It is important to have the possibility of offering patients alternatives with the support of a trained multidisciplinary group.