A tremor is a disabling, debilitating, and often embarrassing symptoms of many nervous system disorders. While the condition may not be life-threatening, it can significantly impact your quality of life and daily functioning.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are over 20 types of tremors out there. Among the most common ones are:
- Essential tremor(the most common movement disorder)
- Psychogenic tremor
- Dystonic tremor
- Physiologic tremor
- Parkinsonian tremor
While the causes and parts of the body affected by each type vary, all tremors have one thing in common: they lead to involuntary and often uncontrollable shaking or movements.
Here are the ways in which tremors impact everyday activities:
Communication
Tremors may cause difficulties in communication, depending on the type you’re experiencing. In some cases, handwriting, facial expressions, and speech are greatly affected as a result of the movement disorder in question, making it difficult to interact with people.
Slurred speech, illegible writing, involuntary facial expressions, and diminished body language are just some of the ways in which tremors make it difficult to communicate with those around you.
Driving
An essential aspect of living independently, driving can become difficult for people who experience frequent bouts of tremors. Depending on the type and severity of the symptoms, you might be able to continue driving after making a few minor adjustments to your lifestyle and driving habits.
Opting for automatic functions—transmission, windows, etc.—will make things easier to manage if your hands get shaky. But when your symptoms are particularly bad, avoid driving altogether. This is because shaky hands are a common symptom of tremor and can prove to be a hazard on the road.
Exercise
Since your physical mobility tends to decline when you’re living with a movement disorder, you may find your physical health and fitness declining. This can leave you in a double bind, since exercise can help improve your functionality, but it can be difficult to do.
You can adapt to your altered physical abilities by opting for low impact exercises and gentle rhythmic movements that don’t strain your joints too much.
Work
Owing to the nature of your work, tremors may make basic tasks incredibly difficult. In the workplace, productivity and quality of work are considered important and tremors may place some limitations for you.
Communicating, typing on the keyboard, using the mouse, grasping tools, and exerting pressure are all tasks you may be required to do in the workplace. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), employers have to make accommodations to account for certain disabilities. However, since it doesn’t spell out the types of disabilities, your eligibility may depend on your unique tremor symptoms.
Living with tremors can’t be easy, especially when they start to impact your daily functioning and activities. If you’re experiencing any symptoms and looking for an experienced doctor to help you, visit Dr. Farzin Pedouim at Movement Help in LA.
The board-certified neurologist and Movement Disorders specialist can help you alleviate the symptoms and regain your quality of life. The Movement Disorder Treatments at our LA clinic include medication, surgical procedures, Botox injections, and focused ultrasound.
Our tremor and Parkinson’s disease specialist can customize treatments based on your symptoms and offers individualized care that’ll help you start your journey to a healthy, happy life.
Get in touch with us at (949) 239-4410 and schedule an appointment today.
