Differential Diagnosis for Stiffness and Tremor in the Elderly
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Parkinson's Disease: The most common cause of stiffness and tremor in the elderly, characterized by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Essential Tremor: A common movement disorder that causes tremors, often affecting the hands, but can also involve the head, voice, or other body parts.
- Cerebral Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels in the brain, which can cause a variety of symptoms including stiffness and tremor.
- Medication-Induced Parkinsonism: Certain medications, such as antipsychotics and antiemetics, can cause parkinsonian symptoms, including stiffness and tremor.
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A condition characterized by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to symptoms such as gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence, which can also include stiffness and tremor.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Subdural Hematoma: A type of brain bleed that can cause a range of symptoms, including stiffness and tremor, and requires prompt medical attention.
- Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause stiffness, tremor, and other severe symptoms.
- Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain tissue, which can cause a variety of symptoms, including stiffness, tremor, and altered mental status.
- Wilson's Disease: A rare genetic disorder that can cause neurological symptoms, including tremor and stiffness, due to copper accumulation in the brain.
Rare Diagnoses
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: A rare neurodegenerative disorder that causes stiffness, tremor, and difficulty with eye movements.
- Multiple System Atrophy: A rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects multiple systems in the body, including the autonomic nervous system, and can cause stiffness and tremor.
- Corticobasal Degeneration: A rare neurodegenerative disorder that causes stiffness, tremor, and difficulty with movement and coordination.
- Huntington's Disease: A rare genetic disorder that causes progressive damage to the brain, leading to symptoms such as stiffness, tremor, and cognitive decline.