New Treatments at Penn State Health Ease Essential Tremor Symptoms
TL/DR –
Essential tremor is a neurological disorder affecting about 1.1 million adults in the U.S. that causes uncontrollable, rhythmic trembling, with shaking hands being a common symptom. The condition is not curable, but treatments, including medication and advanced procedures such as deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound, aim to reduce shaking that interferes with normal activity. Particularly, research suggests that focused ultrasound reduces tremor severity and improves function and quality of life, with results lasting five or more years.
Understanding Essential Tremor
Joan Riggs, a 64-year-old, started experiencing shaky hands about ten years ago. Her condition called essential tremor, a neurological movement disorder, prohibited her from enjoying her hobbies and daily activities. This disorder affects around 1.1 million adults in the U.S., as stated in the journal Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements.
What is Essential Tremor?
Essential tremor is a brain-related condition causing uncontrollable, rhythmic trembling, with hand tremors being a standard symptom. Dr. Pratik Talati, a functional neurosurgeon and director of focused ultrasound at Penn State Health Neurosurgery, noted that the disorder affects regular activities such as eating, drinking, shaving, or applying lipstick. Symptoms usually begin between ages 36 and 40.
Is Essential Tremor Related to Parkinson’s Disease?
Though both conditions cause tremors, they appear and progress differently. Essential tremor often emerges as patients engage in activities, whereas Parkinson’s tremors typically occur during rest. Parkinson’s disease worsens over time due to the death of brain cells that support movement, while the progression of essential tremor remains unclear.
Diagnosing Essential Tremor
To diagnose essential tremor, doctors assess the patient’s symptoms, health history, and family history, as more than half of essential tremor cases are familial. Doctors also check the patient’s muscle strength, reflexes, coordination, and balance and may observe the patient performing simple tasks.
Treating Essential Tremor
Essential tremor has no cure, with treatment aimed at reducing shaking that interferes with normal activities. Initially, patients are given medications like Propranolol, a beta-blocker that slows tremors by reducing stress-related signals in the brain, and Primidone, which calms overactive nerve signals in the brain. If medication proves ineffective, patients may consider advanced treatments such as deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound.
Research in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders suggests that focused ultrasound reduces tremor severity, improves cognition, function, and quality of life, with results lasting five years or more. Despite potential side effects like numbness, tingling, imbalance, or weakness, most people experience mild and often temporary effects.
Riggs underwent focused ultrasound treatment and has seen a significant improvement in her condition. She can now perform activities she previously struggled with, enhancing her quality of life.
You can learn more about essential tremor here.
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