INFORMATION ON TREMOR

Tremor is an unintentional, somewhat rhythmic, muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements of one or more parts of the body. Most tremors occur in the hands, although they can also affect the arms, head, face, vocal cords, trunk, and legs.

Tremor is the most common movement disorder and can be associated with several disorders affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. As with Parkinson disease, surgical approaches to the treatment of tremor developed primarily in response to the failure of medical therapies to provide long-term relief.

Some forms of tremor are inherited and run in families, while others have no known cause. Excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol withdrawal can kill certain nerve cells, resulting in tremor, especially in the hand.

SYNONYMS OF TREMOR

1. Deep brain stimulation
2. Movement disorder
3. Neurosurgery
4. Stereotactic surgery
5. Stereotaxis, thalamotomy
6. Surgery for tremor
7. Surgical treatment of tremor

CAUSES OF TREMOR

Some forms of tremor are inherited and run in families, while others have no known cause.
Excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol withdrawal can kill certain nerve cells, resulting in tremor, especially in the hand.
Other causes include an overactive thyroid and the use of certain drugs. Tremor may occur at any age but is most common in middle-aged and older persons.

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Tremor as a symptom.

1. Doxapram Hydrochloride
2. Dopram Injection
3. Dextrothyroxine Sodium
4. Choloxine
5. Cocaine Hydrochloride

SYMPTOMS OF TREMOR

Symptoms may include:-

1. Uncontrollable tremors that occur for brief periods of time.
2. A shaking voice.
3. Nodding head.
4. Tremors that worsen during periods of emotional stress.
5. Tremors that get worse with purposeful movement.
6. Tremor lessens with rest.
7. Tremors are the only symptom, although rarely a person with ET may suffer from balance problems.

DIAGNOSIS OF TREMOR

Diagnostic techniques that make images of the brain, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may help form a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or other tremor caused by disorders of the central nervous system.
Blood tests can rule out metabolic causes such as thyroid disease. A family history can help determine whether the tremor is inherited.
There is no specific test for essential tremor and it is usually easy to diagnose simply by exam and medical history.
Results from blood and urine tests can help the physician rule out other causes such as the following:

• Heavy metal poisoning
• Parkinson's disease
• Side effect of medication
• Thyroid disease

TREATMENT OF TREMOR

There is no cure for tremor and, in most cases, there is no need to treat essential tremor. Treatment may not be required if the tremors are mild and do not interfere with daily activity. Severe tremor can be reduced with drug treatment. A drug called propranolol is often used to treat severe essential tremor. Other medications that may reduce tremors include anti-seizure drugs such as gabapentin, mild tranquilizers such as alprazolam or clonazepam, and calcium-channel blockers Intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin in the hand have been used to reduce tremor by weakening local muscles.