Essential Tremor – Causes and Symptoms
Having Essential Tremors can be very frightening, but it can be easily treated. It’s important to understand the causes and complications of this disease, as well as the treatments and symptoms.
Treatments
Several medications and surgical procedures are available for treatments for essential tremors. Some of these therapies are effective, while others have not been shown to be useful. However, the best options for treatment are individualized and may not be suitable for every patient.
Some of the most common medications used for essential tremors include beta-blockers, antianxiety medications, and antiseizure drugs. Some individuals also benefit from non-pharmacological therapeutic options, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychotherapy.
Deep brain stimulation is a treatment option for essential tremors. It involves an implanted device that sends electrical pulses to the thalamus. The stimulation causes the thalamus to stop sending signals to the muscles that cause tremors. This results in fewer tremors and may improve balance and speech. However, it can also cause a number of side effects, including headaches, weakness, and balance problems.
Surgical interventions for essential tremors are used for severely affected patients who do not respond to medications. These treatments can involve surgery on the left or right side of the brain. These procedures have been used for over 50 years, and they are becoming more effective.
Deep brain stimulation is the most common form of surgery for essential tremors. A wire passes under the skin and then connects to a pacemaker-like device that sends painless electrical pulses to the thalamus. This surgery is most often used in medical centers with experience.
The tremors that accompany essential tremors are caused by an involuntary shaking movement. The tremors can affect your hands, trunk, chin, and voice. Typically, the tremors are worse when you are not at rest. A dopamine transporter scan may be done to rule out Parkinson’s disease or other conditions that can look like essential tremors.
There are many treatments for essential tremors, and many people choose not to have treatment until their tremors become severe. A healthcare provider can offer treatment alternatives and tell you about possible side effects. You may also need to visit a support group.
The condition is not life-threatening, but it can disrupt your daily activities. Depending on your symptoms, you may need to visit a healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of essential tremors can affect a person in several ways. They can range from mild to severe and affect different parts of the body. This condition can interfere with everyday activities. Fortunately, it is not life-threatening. However, it is upsetting to live with.
The condition can also lead to depressive episodes and emotional distress. This is because essential tremors can affect a person’s quality of life. It may make it difficult to write, speak, or perform simple tasks. If you have symptoms of essential tremor, do not be embarrassed to talk with your doctor. They will be able to prescribe you treatments that can help reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Treatment for essential tremors can include medications and talking therapy. Patients may also receive Botox injections, which can stop the shaking. Other treatments include physical therapy. These techniques can help to improve muscle control and coordination.
Essential tremor can be difficult to live with, but it is not life-threatening disorder. It usually affects older people. It is also inherited, so it can run in families. If you have a family history of essential tremors, you may be more likely to have the condition. It is not yet known what causes essential tremors. Scientists are working to find a cause. However, the condition is not contagious.
Essential tremors may be caused by a deficiency in dopamine, a neurotransmitter needed for smooth and controlled muscular movement. Doctors believe that essential tremor is triggered by abnormal electrical activity between the thalamus and the cerebellum, which are two parts of the brain that control muscle coordination. The condition can be treated with medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
The tremor can occur in a person’s hands, arms, legs, head, and neck. It may also affect the voice box and larynx. It can be aggravated by low blood sugar and stress. It can also occur as a side effect of medications and alcohol withdrawal.
Some of the medications that can aggravate essential tremors include caffeine and lithium. If you take medications, make sure you follow the instructions on the label. It is also a good idea to check with your pharmacist to see if any over-the-counter medications contain caffeine.
Diagnosis
Getting the diagnosis of essential tremors is very important. This neurological disorder affects many people and can be disabling. It can be caused by a number of different disorders and can be difficult to diagnose. However, a trained clinician can diagnose essential tremors.
A thorough medical history is important for diagnosing essential tremors. This includes family history, medical history, and focused questions. You should also discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. You may be referred to a specialist neurologist. Your provider can tell you what to look for and how to manage the condition.
Imaging tests may also be performed to rule out other disorders that look similar to essential tremors. This can include imaging tests that detect abnormalities in the brain, such as dopamine transporter scans.
In addition, your healthcare provider may also prescribe medications. These drugs can reduce the symptoms of essential tremors. They include propranolol, primidone, and gabapentin. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions, and take the medications as prescribed.
Essential tremor is not life-threatening, and you should not be embarrassed to talk with your doctor about your symptoms. You may be surprised to find that there are medications and procedures to treat your condition.
A number of medical therapies can provide relief for up to 80% of patients with essential tremors. However, there is no consensus about which treatments are effective or safe. Some medical therapies are backed by double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, while others have not.
You should discuss the potential side effects of the medications you are prescribed. You should also ask your healthcare provider about other treatment options. You may want to use support groups or social workers to help you manage your condition.
If your symptoms are severe, you may need surgery. The most common surgery used to treat essential tremors is deep brain stimulation. This is similar to a pacemaker and involves sending painless electrical signals to your brain. During surgery, a lead is run from the neurostimulator to the area in your brain that causes your tremor. The equipment may malfunction, and you may experience weakness or balance problems.
Complications
Having essential tremors can be a frustrating and embarrassing situation. The tremor may interfere with your daily activities, such as dressing, eating, and writing. It can also make you less independent. You can help control your tremors with medication and other treatments.
Essential tremor is a neurological disorder that causes the hands and arms to shake. In some people, the disorder may affect the trunk and head as well. However, the most common symptom is trembling in the hands. In some cases, the condition may be caused by an inherited gene mutation.
It can also be caused by a variety of conditions, including alcohol use disorder. It may also occur as a side effect of certain medications. You should discuss your symptoms with your doctor so that you can receive the right treatment for your condition. Your doctor may also suggest physical therapy or surgery.
Some patients with essential tremors find that their condition gets better with time. However, the symptoms may increase as they get older. They may have difficulty with writing and eating, as well as using utensils. They may also have trouble with speech.
Some people have essential tremors for most of their lives. Others may have mild symptoms that never get any better. If you have symptoms of essential tremor, you should talk with your doctor about treatments.
The most common medications for essential tremors are primidone and propranolol. Some people may not have any side effects from these medications. However, they may not be appropriate for people with asthma or heart problems.
Some people with essential tremors find that they have trouble speaking. Botox shots have been effective in reducing vocal tremors.
In addition, doctors can use a deep brain stimulator to help control the tremor. This device involves an electrode inserted into the thalamus, which is located at the base of the brain. The electrode is then connected to a neurostimulator that is implanted under the skin in the chest. This is similar to a heart pacemaker.
Essential tremor does not pose a life-threatening threat to your health. However, it can interfere with your daily activities, and it may make you less independent.
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