Shaky hands, trembling arms, and uncontrollable movements—these symptoms tend to often trigger and suspicion of Parkinson's disease. But while Parkinson's is a recognized neurodegenerative disorder, another condition can be responsible for the tremors- Essential Tremor (ET). Although both share some superficial similarities, these two disorders are very different in cause, course, and treatment. And yet, many people struggle with misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and unnecessary anxiety because of the overlap between them.

With greater awareness and understanding emerging, knowing how to identify differences between Parkinson's disease and essential tremor is more crucial than ever—more important to both patients, families, and doctors. Below's what you have to know about distinguishing between the two and doing something if needed.

What Is Essential Tremor?

Essential tremor is a neurological movement disorder that most often occurs in the hands, but it can affect the head, voice, or legs. Essential tremor is not life-threatening but can interfere with daily activities such as eating, writing, or holding objects, particularly as the disease advances.

It generally appears after age 40, but can arise at any time. The reason is not exactly known, though there is a strong genetic link, with up to 70% of patients having inherited it. Unlike with Parkinson's, ET gets worse with activity rather than rest, and symptoms are worsened by stress, exhaustion, caffeine, and even a change in temperature.

Symptoms include:

• Development of hand tremors gradually, usually beginning on one side
• Shaking that worsens with activity (e.g., drinking, writing)
• Difficulty with fine motor function

In a few instances, involuntary head nodding or voice shaking

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disorder that impacts movement and gets worse over time. It happens when dopamine-producing cells in the brain's substantia nigra start to break down, interfering with the brain's ability to manage movement and coordination.

Parkinson's usually starts after the age of 60, although 5–10% of patients start earlier. In contrast to essential tremor, Parkinson's tremors are more prominent at rest and are just one of numerous motor and non-motor signs.

Main symptoms are:

• Resting tremors in hands, legs, jaw, or head
• Muscle stiffness and rigidity
• Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
• Difficulty with balance and coordination
• Changes in speech and handwriting
• Depression, memory loss, fatigue, and sleep disturbances

Parkinson's vs. Essential Tremor: Essential Differences

While they might appear to be the same, essential tremor and Parkinson's disease are very different in etiology, presentation, and course. Here's a comparison:

Prevalence: Essential tremor is much more prevalent, occurring in as many as 10 million Americans, whereas Parkinson's occurs in about 1 million.

Tremor Type: ET is defined by high-frequency, low-amplitude tremors that are exacerbated by movement. Parkinson's is defined by low-frequency, high-amplitude tremors that are more evident at rest.

Symptom Onset: Symptoms in essential tremor tend to begin slowly and symmetrically, usually in the hands. Tremors in Parkinson's usually begin on one side of the body.

Alcohol Response: Interestingly, ET symptoms will sometimes improve temporarily with alcohol, but this is not a therapy. Parkinson's symptoms do not typically respond to alcohol.

Associated Symptoms: Parkinson's involves a broader variety of symptoms, including stiffness of the muscles, walking difficulties, and changes in the cognition that are generally not seen in ET.

Diagnosing the Difference

Since both diseases can start subtly and present with similar symptoms, diagnosis is frequently difficult. Physicians rely on neurological examinations, review of the medical history, and in some cases, brain imaging to make the differentiation between the two.

Regrettably, there isn't a test that can absolutely diagnose Parkinson's disease or essential tremor. They are frequently misdiagnosed, especially at early stages, and thus improperly treated or given delayed appropriate care.

Complicating matters further, there are some other neurological disorders that closely resemble Parkinson's disease, making diagnoses even more difficult. These include:

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): Poor coordination and slurred speech

Lewy Body Dementia: Merges movement symptoms with memory loss and hallucinations

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP): Disrupts eye movement and balance

Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD): Increases in severity on one side of the body, includes speech and swallowing problems

Each disorder needs a distinctive treatment strategy, which underscores the value of proper diagnosis.

Who Is Most Susceptible to Developing These Condition?

Parkinson's disease is more frequently diagnosed in men, and the risk becomes much higher after 60 years. Most cases are sporadic, but in some, a genetic tendency is observed, particularly among persons with a history of the condition in their family. Environmental factors like long-term exposure to certain toxins and pesticides have also been shown to increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Essential tremor, however, can arise at any age but usually starts beyond the age of 40. It is highly hereditary, and approximately 50–70% of patients report a family history. Unlike in Parkinson's disease, there are no identified environmental triggers for essential tremor to date.

When to Seek Help?

Essential tremor is in most cases mild and controllable, but any worsening or disrupting tremor must be assessed by a neurologist. Treatment of both conditions involves medication, physical therapy, and sometimes deep brain stimulation (DBS). Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and professional help can significantly enhance the quality of life.

If you're having tremors, don't try to diagnose yourself or search online. Instead, see a neurologist who can steer you in the direction of the correct diagnosis and individualized treatment plan.

Parkinson's disease and essential tremor can have overlapping symptoms, but they are two different conditions with different causes, courses, and treatments. Understanding the differences—and getting timely medical guidance—can help people take charge of their health.

In a world where small symptoms can be misinterpreted, clarity is key. Whether it’s a slight hand tremor or noticeable movement change, paying attention to your body and getting the right diagnosis can make all the difference.

Last August, Erica Kahn was enjoying a peaceful evening stargazing in Arizona’s Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The 33-year-old Massachusetts resident was on vacation, photographing the night sky. Bats flitted through the air, but she didn’t give them much thought, until one of them flew straight at her face.

In the chaos, the bat became lodged between her camera and her face. She screamed instinctively, and part of the bat ended up in her mouth. She still doesn't know exactly what part of the bat it was, but she estimates the contact lasted a few seconds. “It seemed longer,” she said.

The bat eventually flew away. Though she wasn’t sure if she’d been bitten, her father, a physician who was traveling with her, advised her to get treated for potential rabies exposure.

Scrambling for Health Insurance

The problem? Just weeks earlier, Kahn had been laid off from her job as a biomedical engineer and had decided to forgo COBRA coverage, which would’ve let her stay on her former employer’s health insurance plan. The cost, around $650 a month, felt too steep for someone young and healthy.

She figured she could risk going uninsured for a while and quickly sign up for a plan if something happened. That decision turned out to be costly.

After the bat incident, Kahn purchased a private health policy for $311 a month from a Florida-based company called Innovative Partners LP. She even called them to confirm that emergency services or accident-related care would be covered. Feeling reassured, she went to a hospital in Flagstaff the next day and began her rabies vaccination series.

The Treatment and the Shock

Kahn received four doses of the rabies vaccine over 14 days. Her first visit also included three injections of rabies immunoglobulin, a vital treatment that boosts the body’s ability to fight off the deadly virus. She continued her treatment at different clinics in Arizona, Colorado, and Massachusetts.

Then the bills arrived.

Across all four facilities, Kahn was charged a total of $20,749. The bulk of that, $17,079, came from Flagstaff Medical Center, which billed $15,242 for the vaccines and immunoglobulin alone.

To her shock, her insurance company denied all claims. Their explanation? The treatment occurred during the policy’s 30-day waiting period, and the company ruled that the services did not qualify as accident-related or life-threatening under their terms.

Appeals, Confusion, and Mounting Debt

Kahn tried to appeal the decision. She got a doctor at Flagstaff Medical Center to sign a letter supporting her claim, but she struggled to reach doctors at the other facilities. The insurance company gave her conflicting information about where to send appeal paperwork. In July, she learned that the insurer had not received any formal appeal.

Health policy expert Sabrina Corlette, from Georgetown University, reviewed Kahn’s situation and suggested the policy she purchased was likely a “fixed indemnity” plan, as reported by the Washington Post.

These limited plans pay only a set amount per day for care, regardless of actual costs, and are not required to meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Corlette added that even if Kahn had purchased a more comprehensive plan, treatment that began the day after enrollment might not have been covered.

“This is why it’s so important to be insured before something happens,” Corlette said. “It’s not just about coverage, it’s about timing.”

A Harsh Lesson in Hindsight

Back when Kahn lost her job, she was still within the 60-day window to opt into COBRA. Had she done so and paid the premium, her coverage would have applied retroactively to the day she was laid off. She didn’t realize this until much later.

Now re-employed and covered under her new job’s insurance, Kahn is still chipping away at the debt from her run-in with the bat. She negotiated one $706 bill down to $420 and set up a $10-a-month payment plan for a separate $530 charge. But over $19,000 remains unpaid.

You may be cleaning your house well, however, there may still be spots, corners, and places that you could be missing. But, what makes germs stick in these corners longer than other spots? Well, there could be certain reasons, that determine the duration of a germ, including:

Surface Types: solid surfaces like counters or textured surfaces

Living Habits: How often do you clean or disinfect surfaces

Lifestyle Practices: Washing hands and bathing regularly

Cleaning Procedures: What you use to clean, whether it is using bleach or alcohol based cleaning supplies

What Are The Top 8 Dirtiest Spots In Your House?

Kitchen

As per the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), areas where food is kept, stored or prepared have the most bacteria as well as fecal contamination than any other place in your home.

In fact, more than 75% of dish sponges and rags have Salmonella, E. coli, and fecal matter compared with 9% of bathroom faucet handles.

The elements in kitchen that needs to be cleaned frequently include:

• Cutting boards
• Coffee maker
• Refrigerator, especially where uncooked food is kept
• Kitchen sinks and counter tops

What can you do? Use disinfectant wipes on faucets, refrigerator surfaces and counter tops. You can also damp sponges in microwave for a minute to kill bacteria.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after you touch raw meat or unprepared food.

ALSO READ: Dirtiest Things That You Touch In A Restaurant That Could Cause Food Poisoning

Knobs, Door Handles, Switches

These surfaces are touched continuously. While, it may miss out from daily cleaning, however, if you come to think about it, these places may be touched more than you would ever keep a count of.

NSF also found that bathroom light switches, refrigerator handles, stove knobs, and microwave handles were the dirtiest places in the house. You can use disinfecting wipes once a week to ensure they are clean and safe to use.

Your Makeup Corner

The place where you keep your makeup, and even your make up bag is one of the dirtiest places and this can infect your eyes, or cause skin infections.

A 2020 Lancet study shows that viruses can also get on makeup applicator from your hands and could make way to your eyes, nose, and mouth.

The best way to deal with it? Change the way you store your makeup. Make sure all the products are stored clean and dry. Clean your makeup brushes, wash them once a week with regular soap and water, or use an alcohol spray. Some doctors also recommend replacing cosmetics every 6 months.

Bathroom

Of course it is one of the dirtiest places in your home. This is where you scrub off dirt from your body and thus, becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

There is also a lot of moisture in the bathroom, an environment that helps germ grow.

Where should you pay special attention? Shower tub, drains, faucets, floor around the toilet seat, bath towels, and toothbrushes.

ALSO READ: Your Towels Are Making You Sick— How Often Should You Wash Them?

Make sure you flush the toilet with its lid on.

Laundry

Leaving damp laundry in the washing machine, even if for just 30 minutes, can create the perfect environment for germs to grow. Always move clothes to the dryer right after the wash cycle ends.

If you’ve forgotten a load for a while, it’s best to rewash it. When using a laundromat or shared laundry room, wipe the washer drum with a disinfectant wipe before use.

Also, avoid folding clean clothes on public surfaces without wiping them down first. Washing clothes in warm or hot water, notes UNICEF, especially items worn in public, is more effective at killing viruses and bacteria than cold water.

Home Office & Living Room

NSF found that remote controls, keyboards, phones, and tablets are often shared among family and guests, and they’re germ hotspots. It also found mold, yeast, and even Staphylococcus on remotes and game controllers in multiple households.

A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that carpets can trap up to eight times their weight in dirt, sometimes making them dirtier than a city sidewalk. Viruses can survive for up to 3 days on plastic surfaces like remotes and keyboards.

Wipe down these items regularly with disinfectant wipes or a soapy cloth, and always wash your hands after returning home before touching any surfaces or electronics.

Pets

Your furry friends can bring germs indoors, especially if they spend time outside. Pet bowls, as per NSF, rank as the 4th germiest item in the home, with toys close behind. Studies have found staph, yeast, and mold on pet items.

Some helpful hygiene tips:

• Wash bowls daily with warm, soapy water
• Soak toys and bowls in diluted bleach weekly
• Clean hard toys with hot water regularly
• Wash soft toys once a month
• Wipe your pet’s paws before they come inside.

While your pet may not get sick, the germs they carry can easily transfer to your hands or face.

Personal Items

Every time you return home, you might be unknowingly bringing in bacteria and viruses, on your shoes, phone, wallet, or even headphones.

In a study by NSF of 22 homes, fecal bacteria, yeast, and mold were found on:

• Phones
• Keys
• Wallets and cash
• Lunchboxes
• The bottoms of purses

Since many of these items are made of plastic or metal, some viruses can live on them for up to 72 hours.

Disinfecting wipes work well on most of these surfaces. For electronics, consider using wipes specifically made for tech gear to avoid damage.

The world we are living in is constantly forcing us to do more than one thing simultaneously and we have made multitasking the new normal. Thanks to COVID-19 pandemic, we are now used to manage chores while attending a work meeting. But, is this really normal?

On a day to day basis, we process a lot of information, including what is happening at work, the news, social media and of course personal lives. While this is a common phenomenon, it can leave us confused with all the information overloaded and can lead to brain fog, impaired memory, and burnout.

As per a survey by the Movachen Agency, where 2,000 people participated, half of them continued to work even during their vacation. This has further led to the increased blurred lines between work and rest.

What is the alternative?

Monotasking. It means doing one thing at once, as the word 'mono' literally translates to 'one'. While it sounds simple, it could become a struggle for those who are used to multi-tasking, especially since it has left many of us with fractured attention.

Multitask as a term and phenomenon came into existence from 1960s, when computers could perform multiple tasks at once. Ever since, with technology advancements, multitasking became common.

Why are you wired to monotask?

A 2023 study, titled, Biological stress responses to multitasking and work interruptions: A randomized controlled trial, was the first comprehensive investigation into humans' biological stress as a response to multitasking and work interruptions.

The findings show that we can adapt to stress of doing multiple things but only to a point. Eventually, it does lead to a lot of harm, and stress thus becomes chronic.

So, how can monotask help you?

Monotask can alleviate some of that stress on your brain, and it is a muscle that you could also rebuild. It can also help to:

• Reduce stress
• Reduce to-do list
• Improve personal relationship
• Improve quality of work

How can you monotask?

We’re all born with a natural talent for monotasking. If you just watch a child completely absorbed in stacking blocks or drawing, it is a perfect example of monotasking. They’re fully present, focused on one thing at a time.

As adults, though, we tend to lose that skill in the rush of multitasking. But the good news? You can rebuild your monotasking “muscle.” Start small, with simple everyday tasks, and you’ll find it easier to focus on bigger, more demanding ones later.

In his book The Twelve Monotasks, Thatcher Wine explains that focus is something we can train, through daily activities like walking, reading, eating, listening, even sleeping. These are opportunities to practice giving your full attention to just one thing.

Yes, this probably means putting your phone down. But it’s worth it. Try using a timer, short blocks of focused time followed by breaks, to help you ease in.

Here are a few easy ways to practice monotasking:

• Take a 10–20 minute walk: Leave your headphones, camera, and even your dog behind. No podcast, no playlist. Just walk. Feel your body move, breathe deeply, and tune in to the sounds around you. It might feel weird or boring at first, that’s part of the process.

• Eat without distractions: Step away from screens and take a real break for your meal. Savor each bite. Notice the textures, flavors, and how the food makes you feel. Eat mindfully.

• Look at one thing, deeply: Watch a sunset or the clouds drifting by. Study a tree, a flower, or a painting. The goal is to really see it, notice the colors, the movement, the details you’d usually miss.

Even activities like coloring, doing puzzles, washing dishes, or folding laundry can become great monotasking exercises when you give them your full attention.

Start where you are, go slow, and remember: doing one thing at a time isn’t a step back, it’s a step toward being more present and less scattered.