Tremors
What is tremor?
Tremor is an unintentional, somewhat rhythmic, muscle movement involving
to-and-fro movements (oscillations) of one or more parts of the body. It is the
most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, head,
face, vocal cords, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. In some
people, tremor is a symptom of another neurological disorder. The most common
form of tremor, however, occurs in otherwise healthy people. Although tremor is
not life-threatening, it can be embarrassing to some people and make it harder
to perform daily tasks.
What causes tremor?
Tremor is generally caused by problems in parts of the brain that control
muscles throughout the body or in particular areas, such as the
hands. Neurological disorders or conditions that can produce tremor include
multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative
diseases that damage or destroy parts of the brainstem or the cerebellum. Other
causes include the use of some drugs (such as amphetamines, corticosteroids, and
drugs used for certain psychiatric disorders),
alcohol abuse or withdrawal,
mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid, or liver failure. Some forms of tremor
are inherited and run in families, while others have no known cause.
Next: What are the characteristics of tremors? »
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Tremors
Parkinson's Disease »
Introduction
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of
the central nervous system. It was first described in 1817 by James Parkinson, a
British physician who published a paper on what he called "the shaking palsy." In this paper, he
set forth the major symptoms of the disease that would later bear his name.
Researchers believe that at least 500,000 people in the United States
currently have Parkinson's disease, although some estimates are much higher. Society pays an
enormous price for Parkinson's disease. The total cost to the nation is estimated to exceed $6
billion annually. The risk of Parkinson's disease increases with age, so analysts expect the
financial and public health impact of this disease to increase as the population
gets older.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions
called movement disorders. The four main symptoms are:
Read the Parkinson's Disease article »
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