Essential Tremor – Diagnosis And Treatment

Essential tremor is a neurological disorder in which a portion of your body shakes uncontrollably.

This involuntary trembling action is known as a tremor. It generally occurs in forearms and hands, but it can appear in your feet and legs as well. Although the trembling may make daily tasks such as eating and drinking difficult, it is not life-threatening or causes major health concerns.

Many people experience this complication, and they want to get proper treatment for that. If you are looking for the best treatment for your tremor, you should visit Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney, the best neurosurgeon in India.

Tremors are a sign of other diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease. However, there is no known reason for essential tremor, and there are no additional symptoms linked with it. Tremors can strike at any age, although they are more prevalent among the elderly.

Here in this article, we will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of tremors in detail.

A physical examination and a study of your medical records, family history, and symptoms are the keys to diagnose essential tremors.

Essential tremors cannot be diagnosed using medical diagnostics. It’s generally a case of checking out other ailments that might be affecting your symptoms before analyzing them. Your doctor may recommend the following tests –

During a neurological examination, your doctor will assess your nervous system’s function, including:

• Reflexes of the tendons
• Muscle tone and strength
• Sensitivity to particular feelings
• Coordination and posture
• The gait
• Tests in the lab

Several variables may be checked in your blood and urine, including:

• Thyroid hormone disorder
• Problems with metabolism
• Adverse effects of medications
• Chemical concentrations that may produce tremor
• Performance evaluations

Your doctor may urge you to do the following to assess the tremor:

• Drink water from a glass
• Extend your arms outstretched in front of you.
• To write something
• Make a spiral

Your doctor can ask you to undergo a dopamine transporter scan if your doctor is still unclear whether your tremor is an essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease.

If the symptoms of essential tremor are not severe, then you may not need any treatment. However, if your essential tremor is making it hard for you to work or conduct everyday tasks, talk to your doctor about treatment alternatives.

• Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal), are frequently used to cure high blood pressure and benefit patients with tremors. If you have asthma or certain cardiac conditions, beta-blockers may not be a choice for you. Fatigue, lightheadedness, and cardiac difficulties are all possible side effects of these prescription medications.

• Anti-seizure drugs: People who can not get any cure from beta-blockers may benefit from epilepsy medicines like primidone (Mysoline). Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) and topiramate are two more effective drugs. Drowsiness and nausea are common side effects of these drugs, although they generally go away in a few days.

• Tranquilizers: Your doctors may prescribe benzodiazepine medicines like clonazepam (Klonopin) to you. These types of drugs are beneficial if your tremors worsen by stress or worry. Fatigue or mild drowsiness are possible side effects. You must be careful while taking these drugs.

• OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox): Some forms of tremors, particularly head and vocal tremors, may benefit from Botox injections. For three months, Botox injections can help with tremors.
  When Botox is used to cure hand tremors, however, it might result in finger weakness. When Botox is used to heal voice tremors, it might result in a hoarse voice and swallowing difficulties.
  Your doctor may recommend physical or occupational therapy. Physical therapists can teach exercises that develop muscle strength, controlling movements, and proper coordination.

• Surgical procedures: When various therapies have failed to provide you relief, surgery can be an option for you. Deep brain stimulation and stereotactic radiosurgery are two surgical possibilities.

• Deep brain stimulation: Small electrodes are inserted in the part of your brain that regulates movement using deep brain stimulation. These electrodes block the nerve impulses that produce tremors.

• Stereotactic radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery uses high-powered X-rays. These rays treat specific parts of your brain.

Now that you have understood all the essential things, you should book an appointment with your doctor for your treatment.