Tremors can really upset our daily lives and it is important to know about the options available to us for treatment. Each have their own distinct merits. Let’s take a look at treatment paths now.
Medication
When diagnosed with essential tremor, one of the first paths you will be sent down by your doctor is most likely to be one which involves some sort of medication.
It can take a lot of trial and error to find the right sort of medication for you. You may be put through courses of beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, or even Botox injections.
If your tremor is having an impact on your quality of life, medications may be a great starting step.
Exercise and Lifestyle Changes
Medication does not always help so some people look to improve their tremors through light exercise and small lifestyle changes.
Practicing yoga might be an excellent way of re-centering your body and building up a little strength to help you gain some control back.
Likewise, you could try some light resistance training to build up some strength and dexterity for the same reason.
When it comes to lifestyle choices, relaxation is key. It is recommended that you stay away from caffeine and other stimulants as they may exacerbate your symptoms.
Learn to practice breathing techniques and consider taking up different forms of meditation. Either one of these can make you calmer and potentially better-equipped to face daily life with essential tremor.
MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound
One of the latest techniques for surgically treating tremors is a scalpel-free treatment using MRI-guided focused ultrasound.
Essential tremor treatment such as this is really at the forefront of medical techniques and may be an option for you if medications have not worked as well as you and your doctors had hoped.
The procedure is quite simple; the MRI is first used to scan and present an image of the patient’s anatomy to identify the target for treatment. The target is the thalamus, an area of the brain which controls muscles and interprets sensory sensations.
Doctors then use focused ultrasound device to destroy this troublesome part of the brain using highly concentrated ultrasound waves.
The results from this have so far been life-changing for many. Patients with tremors have noticed a decrease in the severity of their tremors.
What’s more, because the treatment is incisionless, there is virtually no risk of infection and no need for an extended hospital stay.
While you will need to complete follow-up appointments, the recovery is minimal as compared to invasive surgical techniques, which make this a great option for anyone searching for a surgical route.
Which is Best for Me?
The question of which treatment options and techniques are right for you is one that is best discussed between you and your doctor.
Your essential tremor may be controlled with medication and other non-surgical solutions. However, if medication does not improve your tremor symptoms and surgery is your best option, your doctor will have plenty of techniques to discuss with you.
There is no doubt about it, there are plenty of ways you can ensure that your essential tremor does not take over your life.
