Tremors
What are Tremors?
CHRISTUS Health treats patients suffering from essential tremor, which is the most common type of tremor. In general, tremors occur when there is a problem with the nerves supplying certain muscles. Everyone has some essential tremor but the movements can be so small they can unnoticed. More recognizable essential tremors can be seen at any age but are most common in individuals who are older than 65. The cause of an essential tremor is still unknown, however, some research suggests that the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls muscles movements, does not work correctly in patients with essential tremor.
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Essential Tremors
Our patients that suffer from essential tremors usually experience shaking, which involves small, rapid movements that happen more than five times a second. The tremor is usually most obvious in the hands, but may affect the arms, head, eyelids, and/or other muscles. People with essential tremor may have trouble holding or using small objects such as cutlery or a pen.
Types of Tremors
There are various types of tremors that an individual can experience, which include:
- Cerebellar tremor
- Dystonic tremor
- Essential tremor
- Orthostatic tremor
- Parkinsonian tremor
- Physiologic tremor
- Psychogenic tremor
- Rubral tremor
Treatment Options
Treatment isn't necessary unless the tremors interfere with your daily activities or cause embarrassment. Medicines may help relieve symptoms. How well medicines work depend on the individual patient.
Essential tremor can also occur with other neurological conditions such as dystonia, Parkinsonism, and certain inherited nerve conditions. If an essential tremor occurs in more than one member of a family, it is defined as a familial tremor. Familial tremor is usually a dominant trait, which means that you only need to get the gene from one parent to develop the disorder.