Author Archives: Dr. Narendra Barad

Essential tremor is a nervous system (neurological) disorder that causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking.

What is Essential Tremor (ET)?

Essential tremor, also known as benign essential tremor, is a brain disorder that causes a part of your body to shake uncontrollably. This is often confused with Parkinson’s disease.

ET is the most common trembling disorder and everyone has at least some amount of tremor but being so small, they are usually not seen or felt. It isn’t life-threatening and doesn’t cause any serious health problems.

Symptoms of Essential Tremor

One may experience tremors constantly, frequently, or occasionally. Most people experience tremor while doing something (known as action tremors); while some experience tremor when they are doing nothing (known as tremors at rest).

The following are symptoms of essential tremor in different parts of the body:

• Experiencing noticeable shakiness in hands or arms while doing something with your hands.
• Part of your face may appear to twitch, such as eyelids.
• Shaking or quivering sound in your voice.
• Uncontrollable head-nodding.
• In rare instances, tremors in your legs or feet causing problems with the balance.

Essential Tremor Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose essential tremor by observing the tremors and by ruling out other causes. Your doctor may perform a physical exam to evaluate the severity of your tremors. They might also perform certain imaging tests to determine whether you have an underlying condition that’s causing your tremors, such as Parkinson’s disease. These tests can include CT and MRI scans.

To find out for certain factors, your health care provider may have you try to:

• Abstain from heavy alcohol use — trembling is a common symptom among people with alcohol use disorder.
• Avoid caffeine.
• Avoid or reduce certain medicines.

Essential Tremor Treatment

Apart from medications for essential tremor treatment prescribed by your neurologist, there are certain other ways as well to ease the condition. You may not need treatment if your symptoms are minor.

Therapies

You can go to physical therapy to improve coordination and muscle control. Botox injections can also be done in your hands to weaken the muscles and minimize or stop shaking.

Surgery

For severe tremors, a stimulating device (Deep Brain Stimulator) surgically implanted in your brain may help.

Know more about Deep Brain Stimulation Programming or DBS Programming.

Lifestyle Changes

ET isn’t usually a dangerous condition but it can be frustrating. But certain lifestyle changes may help decrease tremors:

• Avoiding stressful situations as much as possible
• Using relaxation techniques, such as yoga, or breathing exercises
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
• Consult your neurologist to see if any medications you are taking making the tremors worse

If Essential Tremor (ET) starts affecting your quality of life or if you develop any new neurological symptoms such as numbness, talk to you your healthcare provider immediately.

Depression is common in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). So we can tell that mood and Parkinsonism has a connection. Often, the depression begins years before any of the other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease begin.

Studies indicate approximately 50% of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease also have a mood disorder like depression.

A person may experience depression at any time in the course of PD, even before diagnosis. In addition, the symptoms of depression may come and go. It’s important to know that depression can intensify both the motor and cognitive symptoms of PD.

What are Symptoms of Depression in Parkinson’s Patients?

Symptoms of depression in Parkinson’s patients are no different than in the person without PD. Unfortunately, the physical symptoms of depression such as slow speech, slower movements, downcast eyes and fatigue are a challenge to diagnose in someone with Parkinson’s disease because they are also symptoms of the disease itself.

Further symptoms differ from person to person. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Prolonged sadness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Decreased attention to health
• Fatigue
• Change in eating habits
• Frequent complaints of aches and pain
• Sleep difficulties
• Feeling helplessness
• Thoughts of suicide
• Crying

Treatment for Depression with Parkinsonism

Depression in PD patients is often overlooked and undertreated. So if you are aware of the symptoms, it can be treated effectively.

Many people with Parkinson’s aren’t treated for their depression because they do not recognize they have a problem. Family members or friends can get a notice of such symptoms. It is also recommended:

• Get screened for depression once a year
• Discuss mood changes with your neurologist
• Bring a family member to doctor’s appointments to talk about your mood and potential depression symptoms

Like tremors and other motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, depression can be improved with medications. Mild exercise is proven to have an effect on improving mood and depression, as well as help with mobility issues that go along with Parkinson’s disease. Simple activities such as walking, stretching, yoga can have a significant impact in such case.

The right medications, treatments and the right support system can make living with Parkinson’s disease more manageable.

If you have Parkinson’s and are concerned about your depression, reach your neurologist and get consultation. Remember depression is just a chemical imbalance of the brain and not a sign of weakness. Getting proper treatment in time can significantly improve your quality of life.