Tremor
A tremor is a kind of involuntary body movement that differs from a muscle twitch or spasm. It is an uncontrollable, unintentional rhythmic movement of a single limb or any part of the body, at any time. Usually, it occurs because of a problem in the cerebellum- a part of the brain that can control the movement of the body’s muscles. The general reasons behind the occurrence of tremors may include stress, injuries, ageing, muscle fatigue, excessive caffeine intake, low blood sugar levels, prescription medications, or certain medical conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, alcohol use disorder, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, and multiple sclerosis.
Tremors aren’t always serious, but they may indicate an underlying serious illness that often affects the brain, muscles, or nervous system. Arete Hospitals, neurology department is one of the leading names to offer diagnosis and Treatment of Tremors in Hyderabad.
It staffs top-notch Neurologists in Hyderabad and utilises cutting-edge technologies under a single roof to ensure optimal quality care to patients suffering from tremors.
Benefits of Tremor Treatment
- Offers improved quality of life for individuals who experience tremors.
- Reduced tremor visibility, diminishing associated stigma and embarrassment
- Enhanced fine motor skills (utensil use, typing, pen holding), promoting independence
- Improved quality of life by restoring daily activities (eating, writing, dressing) via treatment.
Diagnostic Services for Tremors
For people developing unexplained tremors, some diagnostic tests or procedures can help detect tremors and identify their cause.
Physical examination- Arete Hospitals, Doctor for Tremor Treatment in Hyderabad conducts a thorough physical examination of the affected body part. Tremors are detectable upon visual inspection but their cause can only be diagnosed by further tests. The severity of tremors can be tested by asking the patient to hold an object or write something.
Laboratory tests- Blood or urine testing may be done to rule out other medical conditions that look like tremors and check for signs of thyroid disease. Blood tests can help eliminate conditions like Wilson’s disease, thyroid disease, and toxic exposure to lead or manganese metals.
Neurological tests- Best Doctors for Tremors Treatment in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals also perform a neurological exam to check for nervous system functioning. During the exam, the patient may be asked to perform some tasks or exercises. It measures posture, tendon reflexes, coordination, muscle strength, muscle tone, and ability to feel touch. An electromyogram may also be ordered for some patients to test and measure the activity of involuntary muscles and the response of muscles to nerve stimulation.
Imaging tests- Neurologists in Hyderabad may also order brain imaging tests to rule out medical conditions that resemble essential tumours. The tests include MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computerised Tomography) scan, and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan.
Genetic testing: Some tremors like essential tumours tend to run in families. Genetic testing of the patient can help diagnose familial tremors.
Categories and Types of Tremors
Tremors are broadly divided into two categories: Action tremors and Resting Tremors. Resting tremors occur when one is lying or sitting still while action tremors occur when there is movement of affected body parts. Action tremors can further be classified into subcategories, based on their cause:
- Intention tremor- It occurs when one makes targeted bodily movements.
- Postural tremor- It happens when one keeps arms and legs outstretched, against gravity.
- Kinetic tremor- It occurs when one voluntarily moves any body part such as moving the wrist up and down.
- Task-specific tremor- It is seen when one performs skill-based tasks like writing or playing an instrument.
- Isometric tremor- It occurs when one voluntarily contracts one’s muscle but doesn’t otherwise move a limb or muscle, such as while making a fist.
Depending upon the cause and appearance of tremors, tremors are of the following types:
- Essential tremor- It is the most common form of movement disorder and its treatment is provided by Best Doctors for Essential Tremor in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals. Usually, it is an intentional or postural tremor. Its onset is bilateral- affecting both sides of the body. Mostly, it occurs in people aged 10 to 19 years or between 50 to 59 years. It tends to run in families.
- Parkinsonian tremor- It is typically a resting tremor that occurs because of dopamine depletion in the basal ganglia of the brain. Typically, its onset is on one side of the body or in a single limb and then it progresses to both sides.
- Psychogenic/ Functional tremor- Its onset and remission are sudden and it changes in the direction of the affected body part or tremor. It is also characterised by a significant reduction in activity when distracted. It may show up as intention or postural tremor.
- Cerebellar tremor- It is a kind of intentional tremor resulting from damage or lesion formation in the cerebellum following a stroke, tumour, or multiple sclerosis. It may be caused by an overuse of certain medications or an alcohol use disorder.
- Dystonic tremor- It affects people suffering from dystonia- a movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions.
- Physiologic tremor- It is a normal physical response that affects the hands and fingers of an individual and goes unnoticed. More noticeable physiologic tremor is often caused by a reaction to alcohol withdrawal, certain drugs, and medical conditions.
- Orthostatic tremor- It is a rapid, rhythmic muscle contraction that occurs immediately usually in the legs after one stand. Often, this form of tremor is perceived as unsteadiness.
Consult now with Arete Hospitals doctors and experts to get the most effective diagnosis and Best Neurology Diseases Treatments in Hyderabad.
Therapeutic Options for Tremor
Tremors are treatable in various ways. The possible treatment options include:
Medications
There are many prescription medications for tremors. These include beta-blockers that usually are given for treating heart disease or hypertension; tranq-uilizers for tremors triggered by anxiety; and antiseizure medications in case beta-blockers can’t be taken or fail to work for treating tremors.
Bo-tox Injections
If tremors are affecting the face or head of an individual, Bot-ox may help relieve tremors. Botul-inum is the name of a neurotoxin derived from a bacterium, Clost-ridium Botuli-num. It is known to cause temporary paralysis of virtually any muscles that can cause tremors, such as arms, neck, or hands. It can help reduce the severity of tremors for a while. It works by blocking the signals from brain nerves to muscles to prevent contraction of the injected muscles. The treatment needs to be repeated approximately every 3-4 months to keep enjoying the reduced tremors.
Physical Therapy
This is recommended to strengthen muscles and improve muscle coordination. In physical therapy, wrist weights and adaptive devices like tremor cancelling devices, weighted objects, peripheral nerve stimulation devices, and vibration devices may be used to provide the patient relief from tremors.
Deep Brain Stimulation
This is the only best surgical option available for patients experiencing debilitating tremors. During a deep brain stimulation surgery in Hyderabad, the neurosurgeon creates small holes in the skull to place the electrodes into the brain tissues. The electrical probe is implanted in the part of the brain responsible for the tremors. A wire connecting the electrical probe is fed into the battery-operated device fitted under the chest skin. This device sends electrical pulses to signal the brain to stop producing tremors.
Focused Ultrasound Therapy
This treatment is effective for tumours, including those occurring on both sides of the body. It involves focusing ultra-high frequency sound waves onto a precise part of the brain that’s involved in tremor production and destruction of the targeted brain tissue. It can help in a significant reduction of tremor severity and improve hand steadiness.
Focused ultrasound offers a non-invasive, gentle approach to treating essential tremor. This innovative procedure eliminates the need for surgical incisions or skull openings, thereby minimising the risk of infection. It is conveniently performed on an outpatient basis, offering minimal recovery period and no exposure to radiation.
For more details on treatment options, visit Arete Hospitals, Best Neurology Hospital in Hyderabad.
Link Between Parkinson's Disease and Tremor
Tremors are one of the most common and well-known signs of Parkinson's disease. Link between Parkinson's disease and tremors is primarily due to the dopamine deficiency resulting from the degeneration of specific brain cells. Tremors are a prominent and characteristic symptom of Parkinson's disease, but they can also occur in other conditions.
1. Are tremors curable?
There is no cure for most types of tremors, however, treatments are available for each form to manage their symptoms. Some tremors are mild and may resolve on their own without the need for treatment. Tremors may be cured only if the underlying condition causing tremors is treated.
2. Can tremors worsen over time?
Tremors may gradually get worse with time and may be disabling. Some circumstances can also worsen tremors, like anxiety, certain medications, stress, or fatigue, exercise, illness, and problems in electrolyte balance, thyroid, or blood sugar.
3. How soon after my treatment of tremors will I feel better?
There are various factors upon which recovery from tremor treatment depends. To know about your length of recovery, best is to schedule an appointment with neurologists at Arete Hospitals and ask them. That’s because they will better evaluate your situation, consider every possible factor, and then give you detailed information about your treatment- benefits and recovery as relevant to your case and circumstances.
If someone experiences tremors or other motor related symptoms, they should seek medical evaluation at Arete Hospitals, Tremor Treatment Hospital in Hyderabad to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
