What is Essential Tremor?
What is Essential Tremor?
Essential tremor is a slowly progressing neurological disorder that most commonly affects the arm and hand. It may progress to involve the head and neck and rarely the lower extremities. This condition alters the precision of movement and may limit basic functions such as writing, eating, drinking or dressing oneself. The cause of the disease remains unknown and although there is no known cure, treatment options are greatly effective in alleviating symptoms by allowing patients to have more control over their daily activities. Generally, medical management using propranolol, primidone or alprazolam have been shown to be of benefit. An incisionless ultrasound procedure is a non-invasive option for some patients with essential tremor. Botulinum toxin injections, stereotactic thalamotomy, deep brain stimulation or Gamma Knife radiosurgery are reserved for patients with severe symptoms that do not tolerate medications and offer lasting improvement in movement.
Demonstration of the use of gamma knife radiosurgery for the management of essential tremor:
How Does the Incisionless Procedure for Essential Tremor Work?
This technique uses focused ultrasound to target areas in the brain that are causing the essential tremor and treat it. Since this method only uses sound waves, no incisions need to be made and patients don’t need anesthesia. This procedure generally takes two hours, after which patients often find immediate and significant reductions in tremors. Patients often go home the same day as their procedure.
The Incisionless procedure offers hope to patients who are otherwise having difficulty carrying out day to day activities due to tremors, in a safe, accurate, and effective way.
Find out more information on the incisionless procedure.
Have More Questions about This Condition
Radio host makes airwaves with stroke – and complete recovery
Today, Marisol Vargas is the mother of a vivacious 2½-year-old. But in 2019, she ended up permanently on a daily baby...
Overcoming Essential Tremors: Bob Bosloper’s Story
Reclaiming Your Future: Dana Raleigh’s Story
It Was, Indeed, a Problem Unfortunately, Dana had multiple fractures in her back that she was either born with or...
Flourishing After Parkinson’s Diagnosis: Sandy Deck’s Story
This video highlights the story of Sandy Deck, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and struggled with…
Discovering New Strength: Patty Petrula’s Story
Patty Petrula was training for her first triathlon when she collapsed at the gym and was rushed to the hospital, where Dr. Daniel Walzman determined she had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm.
22-year-old Makes Incredible Recovery from Both COVID-19 and Stroke: Danny Dominguez’s Story
As a 22-year-old man, Danny Dominguez isn’t the typical stroke patient. The first time he experienced shortness of breath and headache accompanied by a throbbing sensation in April 2020, he went to a nearby hospital and was sent home with pain medication.
How Neurosurgeon Roy D. Vingan Cured One Patient’s Chronic Back Pain: Stephen Tinney’s Story
Surgery as a Last Resort Many patients with back pain can improve without surgical intervention, and more often than...
Newark Woman Uses Gift Of Hope To Fight Parkinson’s Disease: Susan O’Rourke’s Story
Susan O’Rourke has a gift: she can see hope where others see depression. Now, the president of Newark-based nonprofit Artfront Galleries is harnessing that ability to find a new pathway forward from her battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Surviving Multiple Aneurysms: Michele Blum’s Story
Michele Blum is an actress who lives to be on the stage. But when multiple aneurysms left her in a coma, Michele’s future was far from certain. That’s when Dr. Reza Karimi of New Jersey Brain and Spine entered the stage and found the one path recovery.