Treatment of essential tremor

Mild trembling may appear during excitement, fatigue, or after physical or emotional exertion. However, if it repeats, gradually becomes more noticeable, or begins to interfere with performing usual tasks, it is important not to ignore this symptom and to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

At the Oxford Medical medical center, you can undergo comprehensive diagnostics and receive an individual treatment plan. Schedule a consultation to establish the cause of the trembling and receive recommendations regarding further tactics.

Essential tremor is a neurological disease in which involuntary rhythmic trembling occurs. Most often, it is noticeable during usual actions: when a person writes, holds a cup, uses cutlery, or performs work that requires precision. The disease has a chronic course and may gradually progress.

Essential tremor is not a manifestation of ordinary excitement, although stress or fatigue may make the trembling more noticeable. This is a separate neurological condition that is important to distinguish from other causes of tremor, in particular Parkinson’s disease, disorders of thyroid gland function, or the side effect of medicines.

According to NCBI Bookshelf, essential tremor belongs to the most common movement disorders. It is more often diagnosed in older people, but may also occur in young patients.

The exact cause of the development of essential tremor has still not been finally established. It is considered that the disease is associated with a disruption in the work of the structures of the brain that are responsible for coordination and precision of movements. As a result of this, movement control is disrupted and characteristic trembling occurs.

Hereditary predisposition is considered one of the most important causes. If essential tremor is present in one of the parents or other close relatives, the risk of its development increases. However, the disease may also occur in people whose family has not had similar cases.

Although a person cannot influence the development of the disease, there are factors that are able to make the trembling more noticeable. They include:

• emotional tension and stress;
• lack of sleep;
• physical overfatigue;
• excessive consumption of caffeine;
• some medicinal drugs;
• alcohol consumption or withdrawal from it after prolonged regular consumption.

Doctors of Oxford Medical explain: increased trembling during excitement or after coffee does not mean that these specific factors became the cause of the disease. Most often, they only intensify already existing manifestations.

That is why it is not worth trying to independently find out why the trembling appeared. Similar symptoms may also occur with other neurological, endocrine, or metabolic disorders, therefore only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis after an examination

Essential tremor of the hands is most often diagnosed in patients. It is usually what becomes the reason for consulting a doctor, since it begins to interfere with performing usual actions — writing, using cutlery, buttoning buttons, or holding a cup.

In some patients, essential tremor of the head may develop. It manifests as rhythmic involuntary movements, which often become more noticeable during emotional tension. Sometimes trembling of the voice joins them, because of which it becomes more difficult for a person to talk for a long time.

Doctors of Oxford Medical note: if trembling has begun to repeat, gradually intensifies, or already interferes with performing usual tasks, it is not worth waiting for it to pass on its own. Timely consultation with a doctor helps establish the correct diagnosis and start treatment in a timely manner.

Diagnostics begins with a consultation with a neurologist. During the appointment, the specialist clarifies when the trembling first appeared, how quickly it progresses, in which situations it intensifies, and whether close relatives had similar symptoms.

After questioning, the neurologist conducts an examination and assesses the nature of the tremor, coordination of movements, muscle tone, reflexes, and other indicators of nervous system function. Already at this stage, the doctor may obtain important information for establishing a preliminary diagnosis.

If necessary, additional examinations may be prescribed:

• laboratory blood tests, in particular to assess thyroid gland function, glucose level, vitamin B12, and other indicators;
• MRI of the brain, if it is necessary to exclude other neurological diseases;
• other instrumental or laboratory studies according to indications.

Doctors of Oxford Medical recommend not postponing the examination. The earlier the cause of the symptoms is established, the easier it is to choose the optimal treatment tactics.

Treatment is selected individually, taking into account the severity of the tremor, the age of the patient, and the presence of concomitant diseases. If the trembling is insignificant and does not create significant discomfort, the doctor may recommend observation and control of factors that intensify its manifestations. If the symptoms begin to interfere with usual activity, a treatment program is compiled.

Depending on the clinical situation, treatment may include:

• medication therapy to reduce the severity of trembling;
• correction of lifestyle and elimination of factors that provoke intensification of symptoms;
• physiotherapy or exercises to improve coordination of movements — according to indications.

According to American Academy of Neurology, modern treatment of essential tremor of the head or hands may reduce the severity of symptoms. However, the tactics of therapy must be selected individually, taking into account the localization of the tremor, its severity, and its impact on the patient’s quality of life.

Doctors of Oxford Medical recommend not engaging in self-treatment and not taking medicinal drugs without a specialist’s prescription. Remedies that help one person may be ineffective or even contraindicated for another.

In most cases, essential tremor has a slow course. At the same time, without treatment or regular observation, trembling may gradually intensify and begin to interfere with performing usual household tasks.

How quickly the disease will progress depends on the individual characteristics of the body. In some people, symptoms remain almost unchanged for many years, while in others they become more pronounced and require correction of treatment.

Doctors of Oxford Medical explain: although it is not always possible to completely get rid of essential tremor, modern treatment methods help control symptoms, reduce their impact on everyday life, and preserve usual activity.

The cost of treatment depends on the cause of the trembling, the necessary scope of diagnostics, and the individual therapy plan. During the consultation, the doctor will conduct an examination, prescribe additional examinations if necessary, and explain which stages of treatment may be needed specifically in your case.

Prices for doctors’ consultations can be viewed here. To schedule a consultation, leave a request through the online appointment form on the website or call the contact center.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• NCBI Bookshelf
• American Academy of Neurology