Chapter: Diseases of The Brain and Nervous System(A Health Education Guide): Movement Disorders And Dystonia

Tremors and Tics

Shaking of fingers of the limbs and sometimes of the neck and lips in a continuous, rhythmic manner is called tremors. This is the most common movement disorder.

Tremors :

Shaking of fingers of the limbs and sometimes of the neck and lips in a continuous, rhythmic manner is called tremors. This is the most common movement disorder. Y

Many a times it may also occur in normal people due to tiredness, lethargy, drug side effects, intake of coffee or pregnancy. The medicines that can cause tremors as a side effect are steroids, theophylline (used for asthma); lithium, tricyclic or antipsychotic drugs (used for mental diseases) and valproate (used for seizures). Tremors may also occur due to an increase in the levels of thyroid hormone.

In many cases tremor can be hereditary which is called familial essential tremor. Some people also experience tremor because of old age. Tremor is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Different medicines are used for the treatment of tremors caused by different reasons. They are beta blockers (propranolol), diazepam, clonazepam, gabapentin, primidone, etc. and dopaminergic drugs for Parkinson’s disease. In selective cases surgery can also be done.

Tics :

Repeated, quick, habitual movements are called tics. 5 % of the children have the habit that cures itself as they grow up. This can ‘,also happen due to side effects of medicines or viral disease. However, the worst form of Ticsis seen in Gilles de la Tourettee Syndrome. It accompanies behavioral changes, (ADHD, OCD) and utterance of obscenities is also seen. This should be treated accordingly.

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Diseases of The Brain and Nervous System(A Health Education Guide): Movement Disorders And Dystonia : Tremors and Tics |