Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor

Article submitted by Joseph A. Christiano, Jr. M.D., Western Neurosurgery, Ltd.
For more information, he can be reached at 520-881-8400

Parkinson's disease and Essential tremor are neurologic disorders characterized by abnormal movements.

Patient's with Parkinson's disease have tremors, move slowly and have problems with walking and balance. A neurologist will effectively treat Parkinson's disease with medication in its early stages. As the disease progresses, the medication dose will be increased, often with side effects and variations in its level of effectiveness.

Essential tremor is twenty times more common than Parkinson's disease. Tremor of the arms, head or legs during intentional movement is the defining characteristic of essential tremor. As the tremors worsen, many patients have difficulty with everyday activities including writing checks and eating. People often isolate themselves because the shaking is socially embarrassing. Medication is frequently not effective and Essential tremor can occur in families.

Recent advances in Neurological Surgery have yielded innovative surgical treatments for both Parkinson's disease and Essential tremor. This procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves placing a small electrode into the brain. This electrode acts as a "pacemaker" in many ways and controls or improves the abnormal movements of Parkinson's disease and Essential tremor.