Twitching of the thumb in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disease of the central nervous system, which has not yet been cured. However, the underlying deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine can be treated with medication. It usually occurs after the age of 50.

Symptoms of the dopamine deficiency are a slowing down of movement, gait and standing insecurity, muscle stiffness (rigor) and a rest tremor (tremor). Tremor means that several muscle parts twitch in motion, with a constant tremor. This often occurs on the hand.

The symptoms usually start on one side. The symptoms determine the diagnosis. However, it is also possible to test whether the administration of L-dopa (dopamine) improves the symptoms. This can then also be used as a drug, as can substances that act similarly to dopamine and thus counteract the deficiency.

Twitching of the thumb in multiple sclerosis

If the twitching has been present for a long time, occurs very frequently, becomes increasingly stronger or is additionally painful, one should go to the doctor with these symptoms. Since it is generally a disease of the nerves (if other causes, e.g. by the family doctor, have been excluded), a neurologist is the responsible specialist. The doctor will first want to know exactly what the symptoms are, how the twitching feels, how often the thumb twitches and whether there are any other symptoms.

A general questioning also includes whether other illnesses are known, whether medication is taken regularly, how the hand is used in everyday life, what the current life situation is like (stress?) and whether the hand is perhaps already damaged. A blood test can reveal any nutrient deficiencies or other underlying diseases. In order to test the nerve function, examinations such as ENG (electroneurography), EMG (electromyography) or EEG (electroencephalography) are possible. Possibly, further imaging in the form of a CT (computed tomography) or MRT (magnetic resonance imaging) or a sample collection from the affected muscle is performed.