Multiple sclerosis is a disease that has many different symptoms and related conditions. One symptom that many people will have is a multiple sclerosis tremor. For many people, a MS tremor can come and go throughout the progression of their disease. Tremors can occur in any part of the body, and they are not usually painful. They involve shaking or jerking movements that are involuntary. Many people will notice them especially when they have shaky hands. Some people may also have tremors that cause involuntary eye movements, which can be fairly noticeable either to the individual or to other people around them.
There are three types of multiple sclerosis tremors. Postural tremors are when patients have shaking while they are sitting or standing. This shaking will go away when the patient lies down. There are also intention tremors, which occur when someone is trying reach or grab something with their hands. It can also happen in the feet as well. This is the most common form of multiple sclerosis tremor. The last form is called nystagmus, which is the type that causes jumpy eye movements. A person can experience all three types throughout the progression of their disease.
Why A Multiple Sclerosis Tremor Is Caused
It is thought that the biggest reason tremors occur in multiple sclerosis is because of the damage done to the nervous system through the process of demyelination in the disease. Demyelination results in the destruction of the myelin sheath that protects nerves. This can cause problems in the signals that get transmitted through the nervous system, in the brain, and around the body. This could be a big reason that tremors can occur without warning in a person with multiple sclerosis. It could also explain why it is so common in these patients. More than 75 percent of people with multiple sclerosis will experience some type of tremors at some point during their disease.
There are treatment options available for a multiple sclerosis tremor if the situation gets too bad. Some episodes of tremors can last for a very long time and they can get in the way of daily living, so prescription medications can help to reduce the shaking. Usually, the medications are taken on a short term basis until the symptoms have reduced. A medical professional will want to monitor the patient while they are taking the medication in order to watch out for side effects and to ensure that the symptoms are going away.
