Tag Archives: tremors

Essential Tremors

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Essential tremors are a neurological condition that causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking. It affects any part of the body but mostly occurs in the hands.

Essential tremors are normally not dangerous but can worsen and become severe in some people. It is sometimes confused with Parkinson’s disease.

The symptoms of essential tremors include:

  • They start gradually and are more noticeable on one side of the body.
  • They worsen with movement.
  • They occur in the hands first, affecting one or both hands.
  • They cause a “yes-yes” or “no-no” motion of the head.
  • They may be aggravated by emotional stress, fatigue, caffeine, or extreme temperature changes.

About half the people with essential tremors appear to have an altered gene that causes them. This is called familial tremor. It is unclear what causes essential tremors in people without familial tremors.

There are a couple of known risk factors for essential tremors including:

  • Altered gene
  • Age- Essential tremors, which are more common in people 40 and older.

Complications caused by essential tremors include difficulty:

  • Holding a cup or glass without spilling.
  • Eating without shaking.
  • Putting on makeup or shaving.
  • Talking, if the voice box or tongue is affected.
  • Writing clearly.

There are no medical tests to diagnose essential tremors. It is often a matter of ruling out other conditions that could be causing symptoms. A healthcare provider may do this by reviewing your medical history, family history, and symptoms, and completing a physical examination. Some tests used to do this include:

  • Neurological examination that tests the functionality of your nervous system
    • Tendon reflexes.
    • Muscle strength and tone.
    • Ability to feel certain sensations.
    • Posture and coordination.
    • Way of walking.
  • Laboratory tests- blood and urine may be tested for several factors including:
    • Thyroid disease.
    • Metabolic problems.
    • Medicine side effects.
    • Levels of chemicals that may cause tremors.
  • Performance tests- a healthcare provider may ask you to:
    • Drink from a glass.
    • Hold your arms outstretched.
    • Write words or a sentence.
    • Draw a spiral.

People with mild symptoms of essential tremors don’t require treatment. But if it is causing difficulty in performing daily activities treatment options may include:

  • Medicines
    • Beta-blockers
    • Anti-seizure medications
    • Tranquilizers
    • Botox injections
  • Physical or occupational therapy
  • Nerve stimulation devices
  • Surgery
    • Deep brain stimulation
    • Focused ultrasound thalamotomy

You can receive pain management treatments such as nerve blocks at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment with a pain specialist, please call (718) 206-7246.

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Parkinson’s Disease

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The Mayo Clinic describes Parkinson’s disease as a progressive disease of the nervous system that causes a tremor, muscular rigidity combined with slow and imprecise movement of the body.  It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.  The disease mostly affects people who are middle-aged and elderly people.

Parkinson’s signs and symptoms may include:

  • Tremor – A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers.
  • Slowed movement –Over time, Parkinson’s disease may reduce your ability to move and slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming.
  • Rigid muscles – Muscle stiffness can occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can limit your range of motion and cause you pain.
  • Impaired posture and balance –Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems.
  • Loss of automatic movements – Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
  • Speech changes – You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than with the usual inflections.
  • Writing changes – It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

Managing some of the symptoms, such as tremor can be helped with medications.  The medications prescribed can act as a substitute for dopamine and send a similar signal to the neurotransmitter in your brain.

Although these medications can become less effective over time, some patients realize significant improvement of their symptoms after starting treatment and continue to do.

To see these and more information regarding Parkinson’s disease visit

 

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.