Tremors are one of the most prominent signs of Parkinson’s disease. Aggravated tremors are also a sign of whether the Parkinson’s medication being taken is working or not, while dyskinesia or involuntary movements tend to make an appearance later. These are often seen as a long-term side effect of medication. It is often difficult to differentiate between these two symptoms of the disease. The treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors differ from patient to patient and the ideal ones can be based on factors such as the ones given below:

• The severity of the symptoms
• Duration for which the patient was taking the medication that could have caused dyskinesia
• Duration from the initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
• Timing of the symptoms to see if they are affected by the timing of the medication

The common treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors are as follows:

• Dosage adjustment
  The dosage of medication prescribed to manage Parkinson’s may need to be adjusted to keep dopamine levels from fluctuating. In some cases, it may need to be administered in a continuous infusion. Alternatively, the doctor may prescribe smaller doses of the medication at more frequent intervals.
• Change of medication
  The doctor may advise changing the current form of treatment. Medicine is constantly evolving and taking one of the newer drugs may help relieve symptoms better than the one being used. For example, levodopa, one of the most commonly known Parkinson’s medications that can trigger dyskinesia, may be replaced with another option.
• Exercise
  Low-intensity exercises such as walking or swimming may help ease symptoms. Exercise also helps with the overall treatment and management of Parkinson’s disease.
• Changing the time of the medication
  Taking medicines at certain times may affect their functioning. For example, if medicines are taken with meals, the protein in the food may interfere with their absorption. Hence, patients may be advised to take medication half an hour before meals.
• Managing stress
  Stress is a big contributor to tremors and dyskinesia. Avoiding stressful situations and practicing stress management techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and yoga can help manage the condition and keep it from worsening.
• Deep brain stimulation
  This is a surgical form of treatment that is usually advised only in cases where the symptoms are very severe. The patient must meet certain criteria before undergoing such treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors. It is typically advised only after all other forms of treatment have failed. While deep brain stimulation can stabilize tremors and dyskinesia, it cannot stop Parkinson’s disease from progressing.
• Clinical trials
  There are a number of medications and treatments that are being studied and researched. Choosing to be a part of a clinical trial can give you access to these forms of treatment but success is not guaranteed.

Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease and the tremors and dyskinesia associated with it cannot be cured completely, only managed via medication, therapy, or surgery. The medication works by increasing dopamine levels or acting as a substitute for dopamine. Over time, the efficacy of the treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors may diminish and become less consistent. Hence, it is important to schedule frequent check-ups.