Essential tremor can be an extremely stressful handicap to have, especially if you do not have a proper understanding of the condition. It also helps those who happen to be caring for a parent or an elderly family member who has essential tremor, as it will undoubtedly be a frustrating process without the right preparation or mindset. It can be challenging to understand the exact cause of essential tremor, especially when there are other conditions that tend to overshadow it, such as Parkinson’s Disease.
That said, it is crucial to note that essential tremor is not something to be taken lightly, and deserves just as much respect as Parkinson’s Disease. As a matter of fact, coming to an understanding of how Parkinson’s Disease is related to essential tremor will help you develop a better understanding of the latter.
Why the two conditions are often confused with each other
The short answer is that both conditions involve tremors. The shaking of particular body parts is one of the telltale signs of either condition, though Parkinson’s Disease can open the door for other physical debilitations if the sufferer is not careful. It does not mean, however, that essential tremor does not cause its own share of problems. For example, those with essential tremor will find that the symptoms become more intense with age.
Looking into the real cause of essential tremor
Current observations and studies on essential tremor causes pin the true culprits to be genetic mutations that can be inherited from the parents. All it takes is one defective gene for someone to be afflicted with the condition, and there is currently no known way to reverse the process. It cannot be avoided by those who happen to have the mutated gene, and there is currently no cure.
That said, there are also issues that stem from those sufferers who do not have the initial genetic mutation. Their parents did not have the gene, yet it mutated anyway. There are currently no answers with regards to why those who do not have a history of family members that have essential tremors still get them.
Looking into the risk factors
The primary risk factor when it comes to the essential tremor is the mutated gene. Those who have it have a high risk of developing essential tremor, though it does not necessarily mean you will get it early in life. As a matter of fact, many cases of essential tremor began to surface at the age of forty and over. It is not typically something that younger people suffer from, but there are still cases of those under forty years old becoming afflicted with the condition.
Another risk factor comes from stress and frustration. It is known that those who suffer from the handicap tend to experience worse symptoms when stressed or agitated. Perhaps a relaxed mindset might end up delaying essential tremors from surfacing on those at risk of acquiring the condition.
