How Can Essential Tremor Be Treated?

Millions of people across the globe suffer from essential tremor. Every year lots and lots of essential tremor cases are being filed with doctors. Essential tremor should not be confused with the tremor that is seen in Parkinson’s disease. Essential tremor is worse and can affect the head and voice, unlike in Parkinson’s’ disease. Moreover, essential tremor is faster and even seen when the affected body part is at rest.

When essential tremor has just struck and the effects are mild, the doctor will only suggest a few changes in your regular lifestyle first. For example, you will be asked to follow an appropriate sleep schedule because physical exhaustion can worsen tremors. Also, you will be asked to try relaxation techniques to reduce stress, which can further instigate tremors.

If the above lifestyle changes don't help, and the condition is more problematic, you will be asked to undergo a few tests to find the underlying cause. Depending upon the reports, you will be given additional tremor treatment in Bangalore. These could include medications, therapies, or at the worst, surgeries! Let us take a look at the various options that can help you eliminate essential tremor.

Medications

You will be put on medications like propranolol or primidone. Propranolol is a beta blocker that is used to treat high blood pressure conditions, which is why you won't be suggested to use this in case you are suffering from heart problems or asthma. Primidone is an anti-seizure drug that is generally used to treat epileptic seizures. Both these medications may result in side-effects like nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, and lightheadedness; but they may help reduce your tremor by about 50%! However, along with these medications, you will be asked to stop caffeine, energy drinks, antidepressants, and inhalers, as these can only lead to worsening the tremor. Other medications may include topiramate, gabapentin, clonazepam, and zonisamide, depending upon your particular condition.

Therapy

You will need to undergo a therapy by an occupational therapist, who will help you adjust to living with tremor. He would suggest you some changes to make life easier for you. For example, he will ask you to wear wrist weight to stabilize your hands, wear clothes without buttons to make them easy to put on and off and use eating utensils with larger handles. All of these will help you live an easier and more comfortable life.

Injections

You may also be prescribed Botox – an injectable drug which has been a proven treatment for a migraine, excessive sweating, and bladder dysfunction. And now, it has also proven to be effective to treat hand tremor, head tremor, and voice tremor. Side effects of this injection could be a weakness in the fingers or wrist, swallowing difficulties, or a raspy voice.

Surgery

The last step towards solving the issue of essential tremor could be a surgery. When tremor has crossed its line of being treated with drugs, a surgery is opted for. Two kinds of surgeries can be used.

Deep Brain Stimulation – In this surgery, two electrodes are implanted into the thalamus region of the brain, which is the main source of tremor. these electrodes are connected to a neurostimulator installed in the chest, which sends electric impulses through the electrodes to the brain to stop tremor. this procedure works on a battery, which needs to be replaced every few years.

Focused Ultrasound – This is a non-invasive surgery where the thalamus of the brain is detected and burnt off through focused ultrasound to kill the cells causing tremor.

While both these surgeries bring results, but they both have their own drawbacks. Deep Brain Stimulation brings with it a risk of infection; while Focused Ultrasound may result in negative effects spreading to other parts of the body.

Dr. Shivam Mittal is a well-known and recognized neurologist who has immense skill and experience in providing the best Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, and Tremor treatment in Bangalore. Depending upon your condition, you will be prescribed medications and therapies first. Only if they don't work, will you be prescribed a surgery. But, you have nothing to worry about when you are being treated by Dr. Mittal as he is one of the most reliable and recognized movement disorders neurologist in the country!

For more information, visit our website: http://www.parkinsonsdiseasespecialist.com/