Tremors or Uncontrolled Movements? When to Seek Expert Neurology Care

Everyone has been called ‘butterfingers’ at one point or another in their life- and this happens when their hands shake or if something slips from their grip. At other times, shaky hands or tremors are commonly associated with being older. While these are seemingly normal, it is important to know when to talk to a tremor treatment specialist, as unwanted movements can interfere with your quality of life- especially when you have to complete small but important tasks that need great coordination.
Movement disorders are conditions which can affect how your brain and limbs process information on movement- as the nerves that bring the signals down are not working normally. Symptoms like tremors, jerks, dancing like movements or others are hence caused when specific neurological disorders affect the brain.
Causes And Symptoms Of Movement Disorders-
Some well known uncontrolled body movements causes include-
- Parkinson’s disease- can cause tremors, slower than usual movements and more stiffness than before.
- Essential tremor- When your hand or head shakes subtly but for a long time.
- Dystonia– When muscle tone is not normal anymore and you may observe twisting or changes to posture.
- Huntington’s chorea- This condition can cause dance or chorea like jerks and movements which can affect how you complete simple tasks. You cannot control them and it can be frustrating to deal with. Huntington’s is a genetic condition and is normally inherited from carriers or affected parents.
- Ataxia– when there is complete loss of balance and coordination, leading to falls and injuries.
- Tourette’s syndrome– repetitive movements or sounds that are involuntary and can come across as having tics. This can look like grimacing, not being able to button a top or shirt or write.
- Myoclonus– When your muscles twitch randomly.
- Restless leg syndrome- Having a sensation that something is wrong with the legs, causing you to move them often or always, when at rest.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy– A neurodegenerative condition where all aspects of movement progressively worsen- like walking, eye movement, balance and coordination etc.
Diagnosis and Treatment Of Tremors And Movement Disorders-
Doctors get a complete family medical history done, then move on to your symptoms and check for possible reasons that may be causing your symptoms. They will then do a complete neurological review- to check reflexes, coordination, gait, muscle strength, movement patterns respectively, along with a cognitive assessment- to see how your brain processes information, remembers points or how you think basically.
The following diagnostic tests are useful in this regard-
- Blood tests are done to check for metabolic markers.
- Brain CT or MRI scan to check for blood flow and abnormal protein deposits or other issues.
- Checking for the specific Huntington disease related mutation with genetic screening.
- Panels to check for early onset Parkinsonism, dystonia, Parkinson’s disease etc.
- CSF analysis with a lumbar puncture to check for infections like bacterial meningitis.
- Electromyography to check how muscles and nerves work.
Treatment involves the following approaches-
- Medications like anti-convulsants, muscle relaxants or botulinum toxin injections.
- Surgery can also be done- Deep brain stimulation or DBS to help control involuntary movements caused due to abnormal brain activity.
- Physical, speech and occupational therapy to help retain or improve daily quality of life.
Conclusion
Getting a positive movement disorder diagnosis can be devastating – but managing these neurological conditions is important- as people can live for many years with them. The issue then becomes about dealing with symptoms and ensuring quality of life does not decline severely. Not all treatments work, so you will need to find the right one or correct combination to continue going about your day without too many issues.
If you have any problems, talk to us for a neurologist consultation for tremors. Call us for an appointment today, as we are the best neurology hospital in Hyderabad.