POSTURAL TREMOR

Introduction

A tremor is an involuntary oscillatory movement of the head, arm or leg.  It is the most common type of movement disorder happening far more often than tics, dystonia, or chorea.  All tremors can be divided into physiologic (trembling) and pathologic.  Among the pathologic forms of tremors, there are three major categories … rest, postural, and action.

All tremors have a variable amplitude that usually increases with emotional activation (fear, anxiety, excitement).  Certain medications can cause tremors.  Most pathologic tremors are a consequence of an underlying disease although there are a few treatable conditions which can produce a tremor.  Fortunately, there are a number of lifestyle modifications that can be made that when augmented with medication can lead to a life undisturbed by tremors.  More recently, the health field developed the ability to perform a type of brain surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation which offers an additional manner in which to treat tremors.  Gamma knife therapy is used less often for this purpose.

Recommended books

1. Essential Tremor: The Facts – Mark Plumb

Recommended movies

1. Saving Private Ryan

Blogs