Lately, I have been suffering from the shakes. This is becoming an issue as I am unable to concentrate in class or at work. Initially, I thought it was just the jitters from too much coffee. However, I cut coffee altogether, and the problem has not gone away. My doctor can’t seem to find a cause and says it may be something called essential or clinical tremors. What treatment options are there?

Tremors and shaking can be caused by a wide range of physiological, psychological, or organic issues. When individuals are tired or suffer from anxiety, such conditions can cause tremors. Other more serious problems, such asParkinson’s Disease or hyperthyroidism, can lead to tremors as well. Additionally, people who consume alcohol, have low blood sugar levels, or consume excessive amounts of caffeine can present similar symptoms. When doctors rule out all possibilities, the condition is known as Essential or Clinical Tremors. In the United States, more than nine million people suffer from this medical illness.

Unfortunately, doctors cannot diagnose the condition directly. Instead, experts review medical history, family history, and symptom to rule out certain conditions. Neurological examinations and laboratory tests will also be used by clinical experts to determine the cause of the tremors. Your doctor may ask you to hold a glass with liquid, write on a piece of paper, or use some other methods to evaluate the type of tremor. When physicians rule out all possibilities, two diagnoses remain, and these are Parkinson’s Disease, which is diagnosed with a dopamine transporter scan, andessential tremors (ET).

If your doctor has mentioned essential tremors, then he or she has most likely conducted all exams, ordered all laboratory tests, and performed analysis on your condition and cannot find an explanation for the tremors. Experts do not yet know the causes of essential tremors but understand that the illness is a nerve disorder that presents itself as uncontrollable shaking and can affect hands, arms, legs or other parts of the body. The disorder is not life-threatening and can be genetic, where parents pass on the condition to their children who may be carriers but not present symptoms.

Generally, doctors will not recommend treatment if symptoms are mild. However, if you are having difficulties with work or school, then managing the symptoms is essential. Ensure that your doctor understands that you are unable to live a normal life and discuss treatment options. Medications such as beta-blockers, tranquilizers, Botox injections, and anti-seizure medicines may help ease the symptoms. Other treatment options include physical therapy and surgery. Surgery, however, is a generally a final option and doctors will recommend the alternative only in severe cases where patients do not respond to treatment options.

Recently, researchers have found that enhancing or improving circulation can help reduce tremors or involuntary shaking. The reason is that muscles and the skeletal system regulate body movement by received signals. An absence of or issues with these signals can lead to involuntary tremors. Researchers have found a correlation between circulatory issues and essential tremors. An essential tremor treatment can be as simple as improving circulation by a combination of taking supplements and improved lifestyle choices like getting more exercise and eating more healthily. And make sure that you’re getting help where you need it, especially with tasks that require precision, such as cooking or tasks like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical repair. You don’t want to make a mistake that could cause big problems or injury.

Before taking any supplement, make sure to consult your physician. It is important for your doctor to have a full understanding of all the medications that you are currently taking. Even though medical professionals do not yet fully understand the causes of essential tremors, treatment options do exist, and these options can help individuals suffering from tremors cope with the symptoms and live a normal and prosperous life.

“Part of the healing process is sharing with other people who care.” – Jerry Cantrell