By Dr. Devin K Binder,
Contributing Writer
As we age, performing daily tasks and the activities we enjoy can become more difficult.
Some seniors may begin experiencing movement disorders that further inhibit their physical abilities and the ability to retain their independence. Essential tremor, a nervous system condition, is a common movement disorder that can limit a senior’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Approximately 5% of people older than 60 are affected by essential tremor worldwide. This movement disorder is caused by irregular electrical signals in the thalamus, the brain’s relay station for motor and sensory signals.
How to diagnose essential tremor
The main symptom of essential tremor is involuntary, rhythmic shaking in the hands, arms, head, voice, and sometimes the legs and torso. The most common parts of the body affected are the hands – uncontrollable shaking usually starts in the dominant hand and slowly progresses to the non-dominant hand. This can make everyday activities such as writing, eating and drinking extremely difficult.
This condition typically worsens over time. For many, it can grow to be so severe that it greatly impacts their quality of life. This can also be an extra burden for many seniors who already deal with limited mobility because of other age-related issues.
Currently, there are no medications approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration to completely treat essential tremor symptoms. There are, however, medications that can help seniors manage their essential tremor symptoms. But in some cases, essential tremors can be resistant to medication, making it harder to find a solution.
Because of this, many seniors give up looking for a way to manage their tremor and learn to adapt to being unable to keep their hands still.
How to treat essential tremor
Today, there are advanced treatments available to treat essential tremors, eliminating the need for seniors to have to make the hard choice to “just live…
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