Difference between Akinesia and Akathisia

Diseases impair the human body's normal functioning. It is frequently stated that diseases cause our bodies to be dysfunctional. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, pathogens, fungi, and other microorganisms. It can be genetic, acute, acquired, hereditary, incurable, primary, secondary, or terminal, among other things.

A disorder is something that demonstrates an abnormality in the human body. Mental disorders, physical disorders, genetic disorders, emotional and behavioural disorders, functional disorders, and other types of disorders exist.

The two types of functional disorders caused by movement are akinesia and akathisia.

• Akinesia is a condition in which people lose conscious control of their movements.

• Akathisia is characterised by restlessness and a constant desire to move.

What is Akinesia?

Akinesia is frequently confused with dyskinesia. However, it is not the same. If a person is having with akinesia then he or she will not be able to move his or her muscles at all.

It does not imply that the body's muscles have lost their ability to move. However, the extrapyramidal system or the part that controls movement is to blame. Freezing is a very common symptom of Akinesia. One muscle at a time can become stiff.

The result will be a frozen expression on the face. A variety of medical conditions can cause akinesia. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is one of them (PSP). It impairs walking ability and balance in these people.

It occurs much earlier in this condition than in Parkinson's Disease. Other symptoms of Akinesia include shaking of the muscles in the hands and fingers, especially when resting or distracted, slowed speech, and a softening of the voice. Inability to stand in proper posture, difficulty standing straight, moving slowly, and so on. When Akinesia occurs in the face alongside PSP, there may be blurred vision, slow eye movement, difficulty swallowing, difficult eye contact, depression, mood swings, and other symptoms.

Medications can help with Akinesia, but only to a certain extent. It can also have negative side effects. If medication does not help, the doctor may resort to a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted to stimulate movement. However, this is only possible in severe cases.

What is Akathisia?

The term akathisia is frequently used in conjunction with the term antipsychotics. Because it has the potential to cause Akathisia. Dopamine levels may fall when antipsychotic medication is discontinued. The Barnes Akathisia Scale, which measures both objective and subjective criteria, can be used to assess akathisia.

Akathisia is difficult to quantify precisely because it can be caused by a variety of disorders with varying symptoms. Restlessness and tension are two of the main symptoms that distinguish Akathisia from other diseases.

Akathisia is sometimes may mistake by other symptoms such as mood disorder, drug withdrawal states, restless legs syndrome (RLS), tardive dyskinesia, antipsychotic dysphoria, anxiety, insomnia, and so on. Or any other neurological or medical condition. Acute akathisia may be treated by discontinuing the medication. The term 'Akathisia' was coined by Ladislav Hakovec, a Czech neuropsychiatrist who first described the condition in 1901.

The Greek word for inability to sit is akathisia. It is a disorder of movement. Its complications can sometimes lead to violence and suicide. Jack Henry Abbott was the first person to be diagnosed with Akathisia, which he described as a feeling of restlessness in which a person wants to walk but cannot.

Similarities between Akinesia and Akathisia

• Both akinesia and akathisia are disorders.

• Both akinesia and akathisia are disorders that are related to movement disorders

• Medication can be used to cure both akinesia and akathisia.

• Parkinson's disease patients may experience both akathisia and akinesia symptoms.

Difference between Akinesia and Akathisia

The following table highlights how Akinesia is different from Akathisia −

Parameters	Akinesia	Akathisia
Definition	Akinesia is a type of condition in which one has a drop in his or her conscious control of movement.	Akathisia is a type of condition in which one has a continuous feeling of restlessness and always wants to move.
Causes	Akinesia can be caused by some medications, as well as hypothyroidism, genes in the case of foetuses, and Parkinson’s diseases.	Akathisia can be caused by Parkinson’s disease, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, and a few medications as well.
Symptoms	Whenever you see an akinesia patient, you will see him or her moving slowly and sometimes freezing in place.	Whenever you see an akathisia patient, you will see him or her feeling restless, feeling uneasy constantly trying to move from a place.
Diagnosis	Some of the medications are Levodopa and Carbidopa. In Parkinson’s disease, dopamine level in the brain helps in managing dyskinesia.	Some of the effective medications are propranolol and benzodiazepine. To govern the movement, one can alter brain neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and dopamine.
Can occur in foetuses	Yes, FADS is a type of condition of akinesia that occur in some of the foetuses	No, there are not yet any foetuses where anyone has seen any condition like this.
Complications	Complications like Muscle incapacity, muscle stiffness, walking difficulties, etc. can be found in akinesia	Complications like act of violence or suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

Akinesia and Akathisia are both movement disorders. Parkinson's disease can cause both of these diseases. Both are treated with medication. However, it cannot be completely treated. Only it can be controlled. Akathisia can be acute or chronic. Akinesia can occur suddenly, causing people to freeze.

Patients with Parkinson's disease may experience early morning Akinesia because the medication they have been taking has worn off. In akinesia, a person starts to lose movement. Akathisia is a Greek word that means to sit. Both are diametrically opposed. A person with Akathisia desires to move due to restlessness.