Tremors and dyskinesia are two distinct symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These symptoms are involuntary motions in the body that have different causes to appear during Parkinson’s disease. Unless one really understands the difference between tremors and dyskinesia, one might be unable to distinguish between the two.

Studies suggest that 70 percent of patients suffering from Parkinson’s experience tremors. Dyskinesia is an after effect of the medication levodopa and appears to show up when the patient has been on the medication for months or years.

Neurologists claim that tremors are a rhythmic pattern that moves back and forth. They begin in the hands, and include different parts of the body like thumbs, arms; they finally move to the legs and head. Across studies, neurologists have mentioned that after a few months or years of taking levodopa medication, the symptoms of dyskinesia occur. Dyskinesia is distinct from a tremor, though to an untrained eye, this looks just the same. Dyskinesia is not rhythmic like tremors, and they have a more twisted movement in their symptoms. This is also an involuntary movement where the patient does not have any kind of control over them.

Treatment methods for dyskinesia and tremors
Doctors adjust the levodopa dosage to reduce the dopamine amount in your system. To treat dyskinesia take amantadine (Gocovri). One can also seek a doctor’s prescription to take Valbenazine for tardive dyskinesia. Sometimes you can control dyskinesia and tremors by lowering the dosage of levodopa. The dosage can be consumed 30 minutes before a meal, so that the protein in your food does not interfere with the medication.

Swimming, walking, and exercising should be done in moderation. Stress management tools or techniques can be used to reduce stress because dyskinesia gets worse due to stress. Some doctors treat dyskinesia with dopamine receptors, but this is done at a very early stage of Parkinson’s.

What can one do if medications are not helping the symptoms?
Deep brain stimulation is one technique where stiffness, tremors, walking issues, shaking etc. can be managed. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is also known to prevent dyskinesia. This is similar to a pacemaker that sends electrical signals to the brain that helps in movements. They block the abnormal impulses sent by nerves.

DBS usually does not allow levodopa medication or it allows for very less dosage. Doctors usually recommend DBS when a patient has suffered from dyskinesia for more than 4 years. It is also recommended when the medication cannot manage dyskinesia or tremors.

Another treatment option for dyskinesia and tremors is to infuse your body with medication continuously. There are two types of medication that can be used here: levodopa carbidopa intestinal gel and continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion. The doctors can advise you on how to go about the right treatment.