Treatment Options for Dyskinesia and Tremors
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes various symptoms like some uncontrollable movements of the body. However, the treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors, when suffering from this condition, can have adverse reactions.
What are tremors in Parkinson’s disease?
Tremors are the most common symptom that can be seen in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Tremors are an involuntary movement of different body parts, like the limbs, tongue, jaw, or internal organs. These rhythmic movements cannot be controlled. Sometimes, limbs may move in a continuous manner and speed until the person moves. When occurring, the tremors generally originate from one side of the body and are parallel on the other.
What is dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease?
Dyskinesia is caused as a side effect of the continuous use of the medications when suffering from Parkinson’s. Symptoms like fidgeting and swaying or bobbing of the head are associated with dyskinesia. People who have been prescribed a high dosage of levodopa for a long time are more likely to suffer from this problem. In most cases, the symptoms are subtle and go unnoticed. However, in rare cases, the condition could get severe.
How tremors and dyskinesia are associated with each other
The treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors in Parkinson’s disease are intricately related. While the symptoms of the two might seem similar, the causes are completely different.
Almost everyone suffering from Parkinson’s disease experiences tremors, making normal life uncomfortable and stressful. One of the medicines that are used to treat tremors, levodopa, makes the side effects less strong. However, overusing the medicine causes the occurrence of dyskinesia.
The difference between tremors and dyskinesia
The main difference between the two is the treatment options. Although they may seem similar, they have many differences.
- Tremors are a natural symptom of the condition. On the other hand, dyskinesia is related indirectly to the disease, as it is a side-effect of medication.
- One of the main elements of differences between the two is that tremors are the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, whereas dyskinesia appears later, as a side effect of the medication.
- Dyskinesia occurs suddenly and abruptly, whereas tremors occur in a continuous and rhythmic motion.
- Another major difference is that tremors occur when the body is resting and one can stop it when they start moving voluntarily. Dyskinesia, on the other hand, is uncontrollable.
The treatment options
There are various available treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors. Medicines like levodopa, clozapine, propranolol, and bromocriptine are prescribed to treat tremors. In the case of dyskinesia, doctors must adjust the dosage of the medications to treat it.
Therefore, the two conditions of dyskinesia and tremors are interrelated and one must take the required precautions to treat them. Contacting the doctor and changing the prescription should be the first step.