2023-10-04 14:58:00
Study from Kyoto University reveals that exercise can delay Parkinson’s
Should you be worried if you’ve noticed your hands shaking more lately? If they don’t interfere with your daily life, they may not be a cause for concern.
We all have a very low amplitude, high frequency tremor that is considered normal. Try placing a sheet of paper in your outstretched hand, palm facing up, and you’ll see what I mean.
But as we age, the frequency of our normal background tremor slows and may become more noticeable in everyday activities. regarding one quarter of people over 70 years old They have some type of visible tremor.
There are also possible triggers that can increase our initial tremor to the point that it can be detected with the naked eye. These include:
– Extreme fear, anxiety or fatigue
– Fever, hyperthyroidism or low blood sugar levels
– Vigorous exercise.
– Alcohol and opioid withdrawal
– Certain medications, such as antidepressants such as SSRIs or SNRIs, albuterol, prednisone, nicotine, and caffeine
Essential tremors are a neurological disorder that can appear at any age, although they are more common following age 60 (Getty Images)
In these situations, addressing possible triggers can resolve the apparent tremor. However, there are some important times when a tremor is a sign of an underlying condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. If you have a new tremor without an obvious trigger, talk to your doctor.
Tremors are involuntary movements that are generally due to rapid and alternating contractions of antagonist muscles (biceps and triceps, for example) in which one of the two relaxes while the other contracts to move part of the body.
Beyond what we know regarding the role of the brain and muscles in tremors, there is long-standing evidence that the gut plays an important role in many neurological disorders. Recently, scientists have discovered that people with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor have unique changes in their microbiomes, and the severity of tremor correlates with changes in certain short-chain fatty acids, beneficial compounds that are produced when bacteria in our colon ferment fiber.
The first question a doctor may ask regarding your tremor is whether it occurs at rest, such as when your arm is comfortably resting on a chair, or during voluntary activity. In some cases where the cause of the tremor is unclear, doctors may order a specific cranial scan.
The intensity of the tremors can vary depending on the emotional state of the patients, following doing physical activity, or due to the consumption of coffee or soft drinks, among other factors (Photo: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa)
Essential tremor. Your tremor may occur more with action, or it may seem to occur only when writing (called primary writing tremor). You may have essential tremor, which is very common.
Patients with essential tremor describe situations such as trying to type on a keyboard and accidentally pressing the same key over and over once more, problems keeping their hands steady when shaving, or frustration because food falls off the fork before it reaches the mouth.
Essential tremors can be hereditary and often occur symmetrically in both hands. It may even improve temporarily with alcohol due to ethanol’s effect on receptors in the cerebellum and brainstem.
But while alcohol can relieve tremor briefly, it often causes a rebound shortly following ingestion with increased tremor amplitude that can last for several hours. And in addition to concerns regarding alcohol use disorder, prolonged drinking may further compromise the same neural pathways responsible for tremor in the first place.
Instead, there are several options for treating an essential tremor that your doctor can advise you on: medications such as propranolol and pidone, using weighted gloves, or even deep brain stimulation.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that can initially manifest with tremors in a single hand or limb (University of Maryland School of Medicine)
Essential tremor is not considered dangerous per se, but some people appear to be at higher risk of eventually developing Parkinson’s disease, so it’s important to keep your doctor informed of any changes in health.
Essential tremors are more common as we age, and some studies have found that new tremor occurring following age 65 is associated with a risk of dementia.
Parkinson’s disease
Tremor is the first symptom in regarding 3 out of 4 people with Parkinson’s disease. It often starts in just one hand while at rest (sometimes it seems as if the thumb and index finger are “rolling a pill” back and forth), but it can also occur in the leg or foot.
This tremor is related in part to the depletion of dopamine in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Patients with Parkinson’s disease may benefit from medications that increase the supply of dopamine in their body, such as levodopa.
Recent studies have linked the gut microbiome to neurological disorders, including tremors, reinforcing the idea of the link between gut and brain health (Illustrative image Infobae)
Multiple sclerosis
Tremor affects many patients with multiple sclerosis, an immune-related disease of the central nervous system. People with multiple sclerosis may experience “flashes” of neurological symptoms, such as a sudden loss of feeling on one side or problems with vision, which seem to improve on their own before another episode begins.
Wilson’s disease
A less common cause of tremor, Wilson’s disease, is more commonly diagnosed in younger patients and occurs due to a genetic defect that causes copper to accumulate in parts of the body, such as the liver, joints, and brain.
Many people find their tremor embarrassing and disrupts their ability to do everyday tasks like brushing their teeth and eating, let alone do their job or hobbies they love. People with movement disorders may benefit from a broader healthcare team beyond their doctor or may have needs that go beyond a prescription.
Be sure to ask how you can connect with other specialists, such as physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, or dietitians, who can help you improve your overall health and well-being.
(c) The Washington Post 2023
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