Tremors and How to Tackle Them

What is a Tremor? 

A tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle movement that result in shaking in one or more body parts. Tremors can affect the following:

• Hands
• Arms
• Head
• Vocal cords
• Legs
• Torso

Many people report experiencing tremors intermittently while others suffer from a consistent, chronic form of involuntary muscle movements. Tremors are more commonly found in older adults but can occur at any age and equally affect both men and women.

Luckily, tremors are almost never life threatening. However, they can make simple tasks extremely difficult, causing embarrassment during social situations and other day-to-day activities.

What Causes a Tremor? 

Typically, a tremor is caused by a problem deep within the brain. Other conditions may be caused by genetics. They have been associated with the following neurological disorders:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• T.B.I. (traumatic brain injury)
• Parkinson’s disease

Other causes of tremors include:

• Medications
• Alcohol abuse/withdrawal
• Overactive thyroid
• Organ failure
• Anxiety disorders

What are the Symptoms?

Even though tremor symptoms can vary from person to person, they generally include:

• An involuntary shaking in one or more body parts
• Shaky voice when speaking
• Difficulty writing, typing or drawing
• Inability to control fine motor movements

Tremors can become worse or more frequent during times of high stress or emotion so make sure you get the rest and relaxation you need if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above.

What Are the Different Types of Tremors? 

While there are two main categories of tremors, resting and action, there are many sub-categories as well:

• Essential
• Dystonic
• Cerebellar
• Psychogenic
• Parkinsonian
• Orthostatic
• Physiologic tremor
• Enhanced physiologic tremor

Each one of these tremors has unique causes and should be addressed by a doctor who specializes in neurological disorders. Once you determine the cause of your tremors, you and your doctor can formulate a treatment plan that works best for you.

Treatment Options 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for most types of tremors. However, treatment options are available for people to control and manage their symptoms.

Not all tremors will respond to treatment and other cases may not require any treatment at all. But some of these treatment options may include:

• Medications
• Focused Ultrasound
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Thalamotomy
• Eliminating or reducing stimulants

Each treatment plan is different; make sure to talk to your doctor to help determine which course of action is best for your personal preferences and lifestyle.

What’s Next? 

If you or a loved one has been affected by tremors, contact the experienced and caring staff at Complete Neurological Care today to set up an appointment. We can help you find the root cause of your symptoms and do everything we can to eliminate them.