Essential Tremor vs Parkinson’s Tremor: How to Tell the Difference

Essential Tremor vs Parkinson’s Tremor: How to Tell the Difference

Tremors are a widespread symptom of many movement disorders. Less serious types of tremors can happen with irregularities in sleep, diet, or stressed-out states. However, chronic tremors are signs of neurological disorders. Of the many movement disorders, the tremors from Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the most common.

Because they are only characterised by tremors, many people regard ET and PD as being the same. However, they are both distinct movement disorders that can be differentiated by their causes, symptoms, and their course of action. Knowing these differences allows people to recognize the disease and get the help they need sooner.

What is a Tremor?

A tremor is a disorder that is characterized by the involuntary and repeated rhythmic motion of a body part. This can affect the hands, head, neck, voice, limbs, and even the jaw.

Tremors can be of varying intensities and severity. Some people find their mild form of tremors to be mildly annoying, while there are other people who find it extremely difficult to perform everyday activities like writing, eating and drinking, and even operating a phone or other similar electronic devices.

What is Essential Tremor?

Essential tremor is a neurological movement disorder that is mainly characterized by tremor in a variety of voluntary movements (i.e. holding an object, writing, or eating). Although the cause of essential tremor is not fully researched, it is widely accepted that genetics plays a large role. Many people with essential tremor have a family history of the disorder.

Although essential tremor is not usually life-threatening, severe symptoms can lead to diminished confidence, independence, and lower quality of life.

What Is Parkinson’s Tremor?

Parkinson’s Tremor is associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is a degenerative neurological condition that impacts both the control of movements and the sense of balance.

Parkinson’s Disease occurs when one or more of the nerve cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine are damaged. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for controlled and fluid movements. When dopamine is lessened, tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slow movements) begin to appear.

Parkinson’s Disease includes many tremors, but unlike essential tremor, Parkinson’s Disease involves many other movement and non-movement symptoms.

Key Differences Between Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Tremor

Although the end result of both is shaking, there are many other differences.

The Timing of the Tremor

One of the most notable differences is when the tremor occurs.

Essential Tremor:

• Usually occurs during movement.
• Becomes apparent when an object is held.
• Can occur while writing, eating, drinking, etc.

Parkinson’s Tremor:

• Usually occurs when a body part is at rest.
• It can be temporarily improved by movement.
• Often begins when hands are resting in the lap.

This is often one of the first distinctions that doctors notice to differentiate between the two.

Body Parts Impacted

Essential Tremor:

• Usually impacts both hands.
• It can impact the head and voice.
• Can impact arms and some fine body parts.

Parkinson’s Tremor:

• Usually starts on one side.
• Usually impacts hands, fingers, chin, and jaw.
• Tremors in the head and voice are rare.

How Symptoms Develop

Essential tremor develops slowly over years.

Parkinson’s disease has a speedy and highly volatile progression impacting normal activities like walking, balancing, and giving speeches.

Essential Tremor Symptoms

Includes tremors in hands when doing activities and head and voice tremors.

Also includes:

• Tremors when writing.
• Tremors when eating and drinking.
• Also worsens when stressed and tired.

Tremors become more noticeable when there is emotional stress, lack of sleep, and too much caffeine.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Tremors are only one of the numerous other symptoms that Parkinson’s disease includes. These other symptoms differentiating it from essential tremor include:

• Muscle stiffness.
• Slowness of movement (bradykinesia).
• Reduced balance.
• Reduced arm swing while walking.
• A stooped posture.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Loss of sense of smell.
• Also includes quiet speech and reduced facial expression.

How Are These Conditions Diagnosed?

Currently, there is no single test that can give a clear diagnosis of the conditions. The diagnosis mainly hinges on studying the symptoms in detail and closely studying the movement patterns in the patient.

Medical History

This is some of the information you can expect your physician to assess:

• When did the symptoms start?
• Is there a family history of tremors?
• When does the shaking occur? While moving or at rest?
• What other symptoms have you experienced?
• What medications are you currently taking? What other health issues do you have?

Neurological Examination

A neurological examination assesses the:

• Tremor characteristics
• Muscle strength
• Reflexes
• Balance
• Coordination
• Walking patterns

Physicians may assess your ability to complete a variety of tasks such as writing, drawing shapes, holding objects, or specific hand movements.

Additional Tests

Blood work may be done to assess thyroid disorders or other medical causes of tremors.

MRI scans may be done to assess structural abnormalities in the brain and other neurological disorders.

Treatment

The treatment will depend on the diagnosis and severity of tremors.

Essential Tremor Treatment

This may include:

• Medications to assist in the management of tremors
• Occupational therapy
• Stress management techniques
• Changes in lifestyle

In severe cases, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or MR-guided Focused Ultrasound

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

This will typically focus on the administration of medication that increases or replaces dopamine activity in the brain.

This may include:

• Parkinson’s medication
• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• DBS for select patients

When Should You See a Neurologist?

What are the reasons you should seek medical care?

• Tremors have not improved or are worsening.
• Tremors are impacting daily living.
• Tremors are accompanied by stiffness or problems with balance.
• Symptoms are impacting work or quality of life.
• There is a family history of disorders of a neurological nature.

The sooner the diagnosis, the better the management of symptoms and treatment.

Conclusion

At first, the tremors from essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor might seem to share some commonality, but they are entirely different tremors from entirely different disorders. Essential tremor causes tremors during action, while Parkinson’s tremor causes tremors at rest.

Identifying the distinctions between essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor is crucial to understanding the treatment methods. If the observable tremors start to impact your daily routine, then visiting a neurologist is important to discover the origin and to start the appropriate treatment.

FAQs

1. Is essential tremor the same as Parkinson’s disease?
No. Essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease are both neurological disorders, but they cause different types of involuntary shaking. Parkinson’s disease causes balance and movement disorders.

2. How can I tell if my tremor is due to Parkinson’s disease?
Tremors that are attributed to Parkinson’s are typically only present when the body is at rest and are associated with stiffness, as well as slowed movement and balance issues. It is very important to visit a neurologist as they are the only ones who can provide a definitive answer.

3. Can essential tremor develop into Parkinson’s disease?
No, essential tremor does not develop into Parkinson’s disease. However, both disorders reside in the same branch of the nervous system, meaning that if the symptoms of essential tremor change, then it is very important to visit a specialist.