Essential tremor is a neurological disorder that causes a part of the body to shake involuntarily. This is due to an electrical brain activity being abnormal in the person. Essential tremor can affect any part of the body, but it is mostly seen in the hands.
If there are signs of constant shaking while engaging in normal activities or while you are sitting idle, it is best to get it checked. While it may seem normal and not that big of a deal, one must still consult a doctor as it may worsen over a period of time. The signs of essential tremor can aggravate any time without any warning.
There are many treatments that can improve the condition tremendously. After undergoing a thorough check, based on the suggestions of experts, it is decided whether treatment is required or not. If the mild tremors are barely noticeable and do not interfere with your daily life, then medicines or a surgery will not be required. On the other hand, for severe cases, the treatments can greatly improve the signs of essential tremor. Here are ways in which the neurological disorder can be treated.
Medication
There are oral medicines that are available in the market which can reduce the intensity of the essential tremors. These include Mysoline, Neurontin, and Topamax to name a few. Others include tranquilizers like Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. Some doctors even suggest Botox injections as a treatment for this disorder. It has proven to be effective on those with head and vocal tremors. One must consult a doctor for a prescribed medication.
Deep brain stimulation surgery
This is considered an option only for those who have severe signs of essential tremor despite medications. The surgery involves implanting electrical leads into a region called thalamus. It is the part that takes care of muscle control and is mainly affected by this condition. This surgery has also shown positive results in improving the living conditions of those with this disorder.
Focused high-intensity ultrasound
This is a treatment where MRI is used to destroy the tissue causing the disorder in the patient. This is a highly supervised process where the patient is kept awake. Interactions are encouraged during the process to ensure he/she is responsive to the treatment. This is only done after doctors suggest this as a remedy to the patient and after all other methods do not help.
Living with a severe case of the essential tremors can be very difficult. Treatments mentioned above can improve the essential tremor signs and make the person more comfortable.