Difference Between MS and Parkinson's

These diseases both affect your nerves. MS can break down the coating, called myelin, that surrounds and protects your nerves. In Parkinson's, nerve cells in a part of your brain slowly die off. Both can start out with mild symptoms, but they get worse over time.

1. Can Parkinsons be mistaken for MS?
2. Can Parkinsons be confused with something else?
3. Is MS and Parkinson's genetic?
4. How do you rule out Parkinson's disease?
5. Is MS worse than Parkinsons?
6. Who is most likely to get Parkinson's disease?
7. What was your first symptom of Parkinson's?
8. What age does Parkinson's disease usually start?
9. What can be mistaken for Parkinson's?
10. Is Parkinson's disease an autoimmune disorder?
11. How long can you live with MS?
12. Which is worse ALS or MS?

Can Parkinsons be mistaken for MS?

At first glance, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) may seem very similar. They both affect the central nervous system, and they can produce many similar symptoms. These include: tremors.

Can Parkinsons be confused with something else?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a disease that mimics PD, particularly early in its course, but that comes with additional distinctive signs and symptoms. Individuals with PSP may fall frequently early in the course of disease.

Is MS and Parkinson's genetic?

Multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease caused by autoimmunity, is also associated with HLA-DR. The genetic variant that is associated with Parkinson's disease is in the same region as the one associated with multiple sclerosis.

How do you rule out Parkinson's disease?

No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Your doctor trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.

Is MS worse than Parkinsons?

MS can break down the coating, called myelin, that surrounds and protects your nerves. In Parkinson's, nerve cells in a part of your brain slowly die off. Both can start out with mild symptoms, but they get worse over time.

Who is most likely to get Parkinson's disease?

However, the disease affects about 50 percent more men than women. One clear risk factor for Parkinson's is age. Although most people with Parkinson's first develop the disease at about age 60, about 5 to 10 percent of people with Parkinson's have "early-onset" disease, which begins before the age of 50.

What was your first symptom of Parkinson's?

Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, your face may show little or no expression.

What age does Parkinson's disease usually start?

It's not common to see Parkinson's disease in people younger than 50, but for a small subset of sufferers, the disease strikes early. While people are diagnosed with Parkinson's at an average age of 60, anything younger than 50 is considered young-onset Parkinson's, or YOPD.

What can be mistaken for Parkinson's?

Fernandez describes two main Parkinson's mimics: Essential tremor. Also known as benign essential tremor or familial tremor, this movement disorder causes brief, uncontrollable shaking. It most often affects your hands, but can also affect your head and neck, larynx (voice box) and other areas.

Is Parkinson's disease an autoimmune disorder?

Scientists link immune cells to Parkinson's disease onset. Summary: A new study adds increasing evidence that Parkinson's disease is partly an autoimmune disease. In fact, the researchers report that signs of autoimmunity can appear in Parkinson's disease patients years before their official diagnosis.

How long can you live with MS?

MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average, and this gap appears to be getting smaller all the time.

Which is worse ALS or MS?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, while ALS is hereditary in 1 out of 10 people due to a mutated protein. MS has more mental impairment and ALS has more physical impairment. Late stage MS rarely is debilitating or fatal, while ALS is completely debilitating leading to paralysis and death.