Tremor Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Tremor?

Tremor is an unintentional, rhythmic muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements (oscillations) of one or more parts of the body. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, head, face, voice, trunk, and legs.

Causes of Tremor

Prescription medications, diseases, injuries, stress, and caffeine can all cause tremors. The most common causes of tremors are:

• Muscle fatigue
• Ingesting too much caffeine
• Stress
• Aging
• Low blood sugar levels
• Medical conditions that can cause tremors include:
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Parkinson’s disease, which is a degenerative disease caused by loss of dopamine-producing brain cells
• Multiple sclerosis, which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your brain and spinal cord
• Alcoholism
• Hyperthyroidism, which is a condition in which your body produces too much thyroid hormone

Tremor may be caused by:

• Certain medicines
• Brain, nerve, or movement disorders, including uncontrolled muscle movements (dystonia)
• Brain tumor
• Alcohol use or alcohol withdrawal
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscle tiredness or weakness
• Normal aging
• Overactive thyroid
• Parkinson disease
• Stress, anxiety, or fatigue
• Stroke
• Too much coffee or other caffeinated drink

Symptoms of Tremor

Essential tremor signs and symptoms:

• Begin gradually, usually on one side of the body
• Worsen with movement
• Usually occur in the hands first, affecting one hand or both hands
• Can include a “yes-yes” or “no-no” motion of the head
• May be aggravated by emotional stress, fatigue, caffeine or temperature extremes

Diagnosis of Tremor

The diagnosis of tremor is based on clinical information obtained from a thorough history and physical examination.

Treatment of Tremor

Some people with essential tremor don’t require treatment if their symptoms are mild. But if you’re essential tremor is making it difficult to work or perform daily activities, discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Medications

Beta blockers. Normally used to treat high blood pressure, beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) help relieve tremors in some people. Beta blockers may not be an option if you have asthma or certain heart problems. Side effects may include fatigue, lightheadedness or heart problems.

Anti-seizure medications. Epilepsy drugs, such as primidone (Mysoline), may be effective in people who don’t respond to beta blockers. Other medications that might be prescribed include gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR). Side effects include drowsiness and nausea, which usually disappear within a short time.

Tranquilizers. Doctors may use drugs such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) to treat people for whom tension or anxiety worsens tremors. Side effects can include fatigue or mild sedation. These medications should be used with caution because they can be habit-forming.

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections. Botox injections might be useful in treating some types of tremors, especially head and voice tremors. Botox injections can improve tremors for up to three months at a time.
However, if Botox is used to treat hand tremors, it can cause weakness in your fingers. If it’s used to treat voice tremors, it can cause a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing.

Therapy

Surgery

Deep brain stimulation

By : Natural Health News