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? »
- Beta Blockers - Learn more about Beta Blockers, a drug that treats angina and other heart rhythm disorders, migraines, high blood pressure, panic attacks, and tremors. Generic and brand names are included in the article.
- Hyperthyroidism - Learn about hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) symptoms such as irritability, tachycardia, heat intolerance, increased sweating, weight gain, and more, as well as the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hyperthyroidism.
- metoprolol, Lopressor, Toprol XL - Learn more about Metoprolol, a drug to treat high blood pressure, heart pain, abnormal rhythms of the heart, and some neurological conditions. Information includes a description, generic and brand names, drug class and mechanism, preparations, storage, reasons for prescription, dosing, drug interactions, effect on pregnancy, and common side effects.
Latest Medical News
|
|
 |
From WebMD
Healthy Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Tremors
Dementia »
Introduction to Dementia
A woman in her early 50s was admitted to a hospital because of increasingly
odd behavior. Her family reported that she had been showing memory problems and
strong feelings of jealousy. She also had become disoriented at home and was
hiding objects. During a doctor's examination, the woman was unable to remember
her husband's name, the year, or how long she had been at the hospital. She
could read but did not seem to understand what she read, and she stressed the
words in an unusual way. She sometimes became agitated and seemed to have
hallucinations and irrational fears.
This woman, known as Auguste D., was the first person reported to have the
disease now known as Alzheimer's disease * (AD) after Alois Alzheimer, the
German doctor who first described it. After Auguste D. died in 1906, doctors
examined her brain and found that it appeared shrunken and contained several
unusual features, including strange clumps ...
Read the Dementia article »
|
Neurology RSS