What are Resting Tremors?
Characteristically resting tremors occur at rest, the classic slow, rhythmic tremor of Parkinson’s disease typically starts in one hand, foot, or leg and can eventually affect both sides of the body. The resting tremor of Parkinson’s disease can also occur in the jaw, chin, mouth, or tongue.
In addition, some people with Parkinson’s disease can experience a feeling of internal tremor, which is not necessarily noticeable to others.
Tremor is very common in Parkinson’s. It affects about 80% of people with Parkinson’s. Although many lay people, and even those with Parkinson’s disease themselves, think of tremor as being the main problem in Parkinson’s, it isn’t for most. For most people with Parkinson’s, tremor is not debilitating. However, a tremor is annoying. It also attracts attention, so that people tend to keep their bad hand in a pocket, or to sit on it during conferences. Since it disappears with movement, it turns out that tremor does not interfere severely with activities of daily living.
What is the Prognosis?
Resting Tremors are not considered as a life-threating condition. Although many cases of tremor are mild, tremor can be very disabling for other people. It can be difficult for individuals with tremor to perform normal daily activities such as working, bathing, dressing, and eating. Tremor can also cause “social disability.” People may limit their physical activity, travel, and social engagements to avoid embarrassment or other consequences.
The symptoms of essential tremor usually worsen with age. Additionally, there is some evidence that people with essential tremor are more likely than average to develop other neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease, especially in individuals whose tremor first appears after age 65.
Unlike essential tremor, the symptoms of physiologic and drug-induced tremor do not generally worsen over time and can often be improved or eliminated once the underlying causes are treated.
