Essential Tremors
A nervous systems disorder
Connections
My connections to Essential Tremors are my Grandmother and Dad both have this disorder and my family believes that I have it too because my hands shake but, we will not know for certain until I am older.
Systems affected
Essential Tremors is a disorder that affects the nervous system. It causes uncontrollable shaking in the hands, head, trunk and sometimes the legs are affected. It can also affect the tongue. When your nervous system is working properly you have full control of your movement in your hands, head, tongue, trunk and legs. With E.T. you loose some control and have rhythmic shaking.
Causes
It is a genetic disorder which at one point was actually called Familiar tremors because it followed in families for years. If you have a parent with this disorder you have a 50% chance of getting this disorder. Emotional stress, lack of sleep, caffeine, alcohol, and physical exhaustion are all things that can cause tremors to worsen.
Signs and symtoms
Uncontrollable shaking of the hands, head, trunk, and or legs. When stressed hands may shake uncontrollably while holding a paper, writing, or drawing.
Drinking can become very difficult and any activity that requires precise movement can be nearly impossible. When the tongue is affected speech can become difficult such as yes-yes and no-no.
Diagnosis
E.T. is diagnosed with multiple testing neurological, laboratory, and performance. Neurological tests are done by posture and coordination, gait, and muscle strength and tone. For laboratory tests your blood and urine may be tested. Performance testing includes drinking from a glass, holding arms outstretched, and writing.
Statisticts
E.T. affects male and female equally. It is most common in people over the age of 40 although it has occurred in younger people. There is not much known about E.T.
Treatment
Medications do not stop E.T. but they can minimize the movement of the disorder. Some people have tried vitamins to help. There is a surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation which can minimize the disorder but not cure. There is no cure for E.T. but with less stress, a good night sleep, and staying away from alcohol and caffeine the disorder can be somewhat controlled.
Bibliography
Essential Tremor | Health | Patient.co.uk. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Essential Tremor - NY Times Health Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor Complications - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor Lifestyle and Home Remedies - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor Risk Factors - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor: Surgical Treatments | IETF. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor Symptoms - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Essential Tremor—TheFamily Health Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Neurology Now: Essential Facts about Essential Tremor. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Tremor Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment - MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Tremor Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., n.d. Web.
Tremors Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What Are the Characteristics of Tremor? - MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
What Is Essential Tremor? | IETF. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.