Know The Difference Between Tremors and Seizures
The symptoms of tremors and seizures seem similar at first glance because they both cause involuntary and uncontrolled body movements. However, they are two different diseases.
Tremor is a movement disorder that occurs in a conscious state, characterized by an increase in the vibration of body parts with age. This condition is more common in women. From its type, tremor is divided into:
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Rest tremor
This type of tremor occurs when the muscles are relaxed or at rest. In this tremor, the vibration of the limbs, especially the hands or feet, is more pronounced at rest.
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Action tremors
Tremors that are seen when muscles contract and move, for example when a person is walking, body imbalance due to new tremors is seen.
In addition to the types of tremors above, there are other types of tremors that are categorized based on their cause.
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Essential tremor
This type of tremor is not clearly known, but it is known that genetic factors play a role in the occurrence of essential tremor. It is known that in about 50-70 percent of cases of essential tremor there are family members who experience it as well. Symptoms of essential tremor can occur at any time, especially when emotions, stress, fatigue, and consuming excessive caffeine and cigarettes.
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Parkinson’s Tremor
Caused by Parkinson’s disease, these tremors occur at rest and the symptoms subside after movement.
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Cerebellar tremor
This type of tremor occurs due to damage to the cerebellum caused by stroke, tumors, and multiple sclerosis and can also occur in people who have long-term drug dependence.
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Psychogenic tremor
This tremor arises due to psychological disorders, so it can occur suddenly, and the location of the vibrating body area can change.
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Physiological tremor
Occurs because the body reacts to the influence of certain drugs, low blood sugar levels or thyroid gland disorders. This type of tremor can be cured as the underlying cause disappears.
If you experience tremor symptoms as above suddenly or your tremor condition gets worse and starts to interfere with your daily activities, see a doctor immediately for proper treatment.
Seizures that interfere with the activity
1. Generalized Seizures
This type of seizure is characterized by all parts of the brain experiencing electrical activity disturbances from the beginning to the end of the seizure and the patient is unconscious. Generalized seizures are classified into:
- Tonic-clonic seizures: in these seizures, the patient’s body stiffens while the upper and lower extremities contract continuously.
- Absence seizures: the sufferer looks like he’s been daydreaming for a few moments. But actually, when daydreaming, the seizure sufferer is unconscious.
- Myoclonic seizures: seizures that occur in the form of muscle twitches in certain parts of the body, but the seizure sufferer is not aware when experiencing it.
- Atonic seizures: seizures are characterized by the patient unconscious and the whole body suddenly limp.
2. Focal Seizures
Focal seizures begin with only certain parts of the brain experiencing electrical activity disturbances but the patient is still conscious. For example, the mouth suddenly tastes, the hands move on their own, and so on. Focal seizures usually last less than 2 minutes. Judging from the cause of seizures can be caused by other diseases such as:
- Epilepsy with seizures without fever
- Febrile seizures, namely seizures that occur in children aged 6 months – 6 years, which only appear when a fever
- Blood sugar levels that are too low
- Stroke or head injury
- Congenital defects
- Infection of the lining of the brain (meningitis) or infection of the brain (encephalitis)
- Brain tumor
- Eclampsia, namely seizures that occur in pregnant women with high blood pressure.
So, What’s the Difference Between Tremors and Seizures?
If you look at the condition when symptoms appear, seizures will look more frightening than tremors, especially if there is a generalized seizure, where the patient is unconscious.
When in front of you there is someone who has a seizure, you can actually do first aid. The following are actions you can take:
- Do not panic.
- Protect people with seizures from harm by laying them on the floor. If necessary, the patient’s body position is tilted and away from objects that can make the patient hit.
- There is no need to hold and try to reduce the movement of the patient’s body who has a seizure.
- Do not put any object (spoon, finger, etc.) into the mouth of the person who is having a seizure.
- Immediately contact the nearest hospital or an emergency ambulance in your city.
- If this is not the first seizure, generally the sufferer already has a supply of anti-seizure drugs. If present, this drug can be inserted into the anus during a seizure.
Although the symptoms look similar, tremors and seizures are very different. In order to be more alert and manage these two symptoms when they arise, educate yourself with the important information above about the difference between tremors and seizures.
If you, friends, or relatives experience tremors or seizures and the symptoms do not subside, immediately take them to the hospital for proper and reliable treatment.