Tremors

An essential tremor is a condition characterised by trembling or quivering of a body part that is unintentional and a person is not able to manage or control it. Usually, it is present for a few seconds only. Though it may occur anywhere in the body, the most likely parts include jaw, tongue, hands and feet etc.

Normally all people experience tremor as the body functions and is of less intensity. This normal condition is called as physiologic tremor and we never notices it. These normal tremors may at times intensify and attract ones attention. In older people these tremors are quite common and it may even normally be present in people of all ages. Conditions that are likely to result in tremor include weakness, stress, tension and anger etc.

Adrenaline is a hormone whose level in the blood is elevated when a person is angry or excited and is also the reason for tremors. An essential tremor occurs by the regular intensification of the usual muscle trembling. At times these tremors may be so severe that one won’t be able to do his activities of daily living.
Essential tremor occurs only during an activity session and never occurs while asleep. Mostly, a person finds it difficult to perform simple activities.

Studies show that about one in 250 people fall victim to this disease. Both the sexes are equally at risk. The probability increases with age and people aged 45 and above are more likely to develop this condition. Familial tremor is the name of the condition when several people in the same family get affected.

Symptoms

This disease is of a gradual onset. The symptoms are commonly noted in the middle ages. The most common symptom is the sense of an up-and-down motion of the hands. It may also affect the tongue, feet, arms, head and even the voice. Symptoms may differ in the two sides of the body.

An action that involves fine motor skills as in hooding an object becomes apparently difficult. Tremors are not usually seen amid sleep or while at rest. Emotional variations like anxiety, anger, stress etc aggravates the condition. Symptoms vary from person to person in terms of its nature and intensity.

Causes

Researches in this regard have proved that tremors are the result of a mutation happening to the genes of a person. The exact path of development of this condition is still unclear. Anything that interfere the communication between brain and the muscles can result in tremors.

Treatment

As tremors cannot be cured as such, the treatment focuses upon minimising the unintentional movements. A person with mild tremor can continue his regular walks of life except to avoid known risk factors. They should avoid caffeine, inadequate sleep and stress.

Tranquilisers, Beta blockers and anticonvulsants are the drugs used to treat severe form of tremors. In extremely sever cases a brain surgery may be needed to fix a deep brain stimulator that will help in reducing the tremor.