A tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction that causes shaking in one or more parts of your body, most commonly the hands. You should not ignore an unexplained tremor because it requires a precise medical assessment. While you may worry instantly about conditions like Parkinson’s disease, many issues cause shaking. Dr Paviour, a consultant neurologist, specialises in diagnosing the exact cause of these abnormal movements.
Understanding different types of tremor
Neurologists classify these movements based on when they appear. This distinction helps pinpoint the cause. You need to identify if it is at rest or during movement:
- Resting Tremor: This happens when your muscle is completely at rest, for instance, when your hand lies in your lap. It stops when you initiate an action. This type most often links to conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
- Action (Essential Tremor): This happens when you try to move or maintain a position. The tremor becomes most visible when you try to carry out a specific task, such as writing or holding a spoon. This is one of the most common movement disorders and does not cause Parkinson’s disease.
You must not ignore or hide your symptoms, as delaying consultation simply delays diagnosis and treatment. You need to understand exactly what causes your movement disorder.
How Dr Paviour diagnoses the cause
A general practitioner may identify your problem, but only a specialist neurologist can distinguish between the underlying causes. Dr Paviour has a special interest in Movement Disorders and acts as the clinical lead for this service at his NHS hospital. He performs a detailed diagnostic process:
- Clinical History: He asks you detailed questions about when it started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life.
- Neurological Examination: He observes your movement in different contexts: resting, maintaining a posture, and performing specific tasks like writing or drawing a spiral. This crucial examination gives him vast information about the electrical circuit involved.
- Investigations: Sometimes, Dr Paviour organises tests to rule out other causes, such as thyroid problems or side effects from medication. He may order specialised imaging or electrical tests of the nervous system to confirm a diagnosis.
Getting the right treatment
Getting the diagnosis right determines your treatment. If the cause is a severe essential tremor, treatment involves certain medications or even Botox injections to control the shaking. If the cause is Parkinson’s disease, early and correct diagnosis allows Dr Paviour to start you on targeted treatments that effectively manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. He also provides expertise in advanced treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation for suitable patients.
You gain control over the problem once you accurately identify the cause of the movement disorder. Get in touch with Dr Paviour to explore your symptoms and find the right treatment.
