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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Parkinson's Disease
- Mayo Clinic: Essential Tremor
- Mayo Clinic: Multiple Sclerosis
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Diseases That Cause Trembling
Trembling, medically known as tremors, is a specific symptom in which the hands, arms, head, legs or any other body part shakes. Certain medical illnesses can lead to tremors. Tremors can also be a side effect of prescription medications. Learn about the diseases that cause trembling.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Parkinson's Disease
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that results from the lack of cells that produce dopamine, a brain chemical needed for movement, learning and mood.
The NINDS says specific symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors in the hands, arms, jaw, legs and face. It also leads to slowness in movements (bradykinesia) and stiffness of the extremities. Other Parkinson's disease manifestations include lack of coordination, unsteadiness, depression, problems chewing or speaking and trouble sleeping.
Treatment for Parkinson's disease involves a combination medication of levidopa and carbidopa, which can quell the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Anticholinergic medications can also be given to reduce tremors and stiffness. Additional medications include pramipexole, ropinirole and bromocriptine. These medications act like dopamine in the brain and prevent manifestations of Parkinson's disease. Another treatment option is deep brain stimulation. This is an implantable device in which electric currents stimulate certain parts of the brain to reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms.
- According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that results from the lack of cells that produce dopamine, a brain chemical needed for movement, learning and mood.
- Treatment for Parkinson's disease involves a combination medication of levidopa and carbidopa, which can quell the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Essential Tremor
What Causes Involuntary Tremors?
Learn More
Essential tremor is a condition that can occur at any age, according to the Mayo Clinic 1. In fact, 14 percent of individuals older than 65 years are stricken with this disease. The Mayo Clinic says essential tremors are typically due to alterations in certain genes in the body 1.
Essential tremors initially start in the hands and can progress to affect the head and voice. Stress, fatigue, caffeine and temperature changes may make these tremors worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Beta-blocker medications such as propanolol, anti-seizure medications such as primidone, tranquilizers such as diazepam and botulism type A toxin may be used to reduce tremors. Also, physical therapy can help people implement certain exercises to help with controlling muscles and movement coordination. Like in Parkinson's disease, deep brain stimulation may be utilized to treat essential tremors.
- Essential tremor is a condition that can occur at any age, according to the Mayo Clinic 1.
- Like in Parkinson's disease, deep brain stimulation may be utilized to treat essential tremors.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis has no cure. However, corticosteroid medications, such as:
- prednisone
- interferon drugs
- glatiramer
- natalizumab
- mitoxantrone
- can be taken to decrease multiple sclerosis manifestations
- according to the Mayo Clinic
Physical therapy can help stretch and exercise the muscles. In some cases, plasmaphoresis is utilized to separate the blood cells from the plasma (fluid component of blood). This may help reduce multiple sclerosis symptoms.
- Multiple sclerosis has no cure.
- However, corticosteroid medications, such as: * prednisone
* interferon drugs
* glatiramer
* natalizumab
* mitoxantrone
* can be taken to decrease multiple sclerosis manifestations
* according to the Mayo Clinic Physical therapy can help stretch and exercise the muscles.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Essential Tremor
- Letanneux, A, Danna, J, Velay, JL, Viallet, F, Pinto, S. From micrographia to Parkinson’s disease dysgraphia. Mov Disord. 2014;29:1467-1475. doi:10.1002/mds.25990
- Ylikoski A, Martikainen K, Sieminski M, Partinen M. Sleeping difficulties and health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease. Acta Neurol Scand. 2017;135(4):459-468. doi:10.1111/ane.12620
- Diederich NJ, Fénelon G, Stebbins G, Goetz CG. Hallucinations in Parkinson disease. Nat Rev Neurol. 2009;5(6):331-42. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2009.62
- Ozturk EA, Gundogdu I, Kocer B, Comoglu S, Cakci A. Chronic pain in Parkinson's disease: Frequency, characteristics, independent factors, and relationship with health-related quality of life. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2016; 30(1):101-108. doi:10.3233/BMR-160720
- Pagonabarraga J, Kulisevsky J. Apathy in Parkinson's disease. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2017;133:657-678. doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2017.05.025
- Schapira AHV, Chaudhuri KR, Jenner P. Non-motor features of Parkinson disease. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017;18(8):509. doi:10.1038/nrn.2017.62
Writer Bio
Lisabetta Divita is a physician whose love for writing flourished while she was exposed to all facets of the medical field during her training. Her writings are currently featured in prominent medical magazines and various online publications. She holds a doctorate in medicine, a master's in biomedicine, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Boston College.