Treatment For Tremors In Parkinson’s Disease: Effective Options and Approaches
If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s, struggling to write a simple note or brush your teeth without your hands shaking uncontrollably is your everyday challenge.
Parkinson’s is a condition that affects the brain’s ability to control movement. Tremors are the most visible symptoms. They start in the nads and then affect the other body parts. These tremors can impact your life severely and make it difficult to do ordinary daily chores. These tremors can snatch your independence.
Thankfully, there are advanced treatments for tremors in Parkinson’s disease that can help you get rid of this physical challenge. MRg FUS or Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound is one of the most effective and pain-free procedures. This non-invasive procedure has become popular due to its many benefits. Let’s learn about them in detail and start a journey towards giving your elderlies a graceful aging process.
What are Tremors in Parkinson’s Disease?
Tremors in Parkinson’s are the earliest and most visible signs. These are involuntary shaking of a person’s body. The tremors happen due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which disrupts smooth motor control.
The most common type among these tremors is a resting tremor which happens when your body is in a resting position. It lessens during sleep.
Some people experience postural tremors when holding a position like stretching the arm outward. Managing tumors becomes a challenge in Parkinson’s and needs to be addressed effectively. So let’s check the treatment options.
Traditional Treatments for Tremors in Parkinson’s Disease
These are some of the common treatment options for tremors in Parkison’s disease:
Levodopa is the most common medicine prescribed by doctors for the management of tremors. It is effective in controlling the tremors but its effectiveness in reducing tremors varies from person to person.
For younger patients, doctors may recommend Anticholinergics. It works by blocking acetylcholine in the brain, helping reduce tremors. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter). Also, these medications have some side effects like confusion and dry mouth.
Therapy is extremely important to manage tremors and make you or your loved one independent. Physical therapy can be useful as it recommends exercises to increase muscle strength, coordination, and balance. On the other hand, occupational therapy can help you do daily chores by introducing tools like weighted utensils and wide-grip pens. These tools make activities like eating and writing easy and comfortable for you.
The doctor may recommend surgery if your tremors do not respond to medications. There are different surgical procedures. The doctor will recommend one depending on your condition.
One of them is deep brain stimulation (DBS) which involves implanting an electrical probe in the brain to regulate abnormal signals that cause tremors. DBS is adjustable and reversible. That’s why it is the preferred choice for many. Another innovative option is focused ultrasound thalamotomy.
It is a noninvasive procedure that uses sound waves to target and destroy specific tremor-causing brain tissue. This procedure is permanent and is typically performed only on one side of the brain.
Advances in Treatments for Tremors in Parkinson’s Disease
Some prominent symptoms of Parkisnson’s disease are tremors, rigidity, and slowness. But researchers have made some amazing progress in treatment options and now these challenges of Parkinson’s can be overcome.
Breakthroughs like MRgFUS relieve patients without surgery or other invasive treatments. This amazing treatment procedure uses focused sound waves guided by MRI to target specific brain areas causing tremors.
It is an incision-less alternative to surgery and it delivers precise results with minimal recovery time. Now let’s learn more about MRgFUS.
What is MRgFUS?
MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is also known as the high-intensified focused ultrasound. It is a highly advanced treatment option for movement disorder. This procedure brings together two technologies. It uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which provides high-resolution images to point at the treatment area and monitor progress.
It uses ultrasound waves to deliver over 1000 highly focused beams to treat damaged brain tissues. The entire procedure is effective because it targets the brain’s areas like the thalamus and pallidum. These two parts of the brain are involved in processing sensory information and regulating movement.
The best part of this non-invasive procedure is that most patients resume their daily lives within a few days. The patient can leave the hospital on the same day. After the procedure, you need to come for regular follow-ups to monitor the progress.
Why choose MRgFUS for Parkinson’s Tremors?
MRgFUS is the preferred treatment compared to traditional treatment options. Here’s why:
- It is a non-invasive which minimizes the possibilities of side effects and scarring. This makes it better than traditional medications and surgeries.
- The recovery is fast. The procedure has minimal downtime compared to traditional surgeries.
- It helps in sustainable treatment management.
- Precision and safety are the two main benefits of this procedure over traditional treatments. Real-time MR imaging ensures targeted treatment and it spares the healthy tissues.
- It takes only one session.
Now let’s check who is the ideal candidate for this procedure:
- The patient needs to be at least 22 years of age.
- If the person has tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (where the tremor is the main symptom).
But it may not be suitable for:
- People who have claustrophobia or certain medical implants are incompatible with MRI machines.
- People who have thick skulls or scar tissue that obstruct ultrasound waves.
- Pregnant women due to the unknown effects of contrast dye used for the ultrasound.
How we can help you access MRgFUS Treatment?
At MedicoExperts, we strive to simplify your treatment journey in India. We do that by guiding you through advanced treatments like MRgFUS. We ensure that when you are getting treated, you don’t need to think about anything and concentrate on your healing process.
What are our services?
- Our specialists and experts will help you understand the treatment process. They will also guide you in understanding the technology and its advantages, helping you make an informed decision.
- We will also help you connect with world-class medical centers and specialists in MRgFUS to ensure you get high-quality care.
- We will help during your eligibility procedure for MRgFUS and understand the process and its outcomes.
Why choose us?
- Our experienced team ensures you get reliable and transparent information about the treatment procedure.
- We personalize our support to meet your requirements. We will coordinate medical consultation and treatment schedules to offer you personalized care.
- We provide end-to-end assistance. We arrange your travel and accommodations, follow-up care, and everything. You just focus on your wellness and hand over all your worries to us.
Takeaway
Kim Hospital offers the best MRgFUS treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Their dedicated Parkinson’s Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and run by experienced specialists. They offer personalized care that suits your needs.
Kim Hospital can help you give your parents or elderlies in your home:
- Graceful aging by providing relief from hand tremors.
- Get rid of tremors in a single session with the help of a non-invasive procedure.
- Get a safe procedure with minimal side effects.
So don’t let tremors control your life and take advantage of MRgFUS treatment to get your freedom back. MedicoExperts will be your side in every step of your treatment journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. How long does the MRgFUS procedure take?
A. MRgFUS procedure takes 3-4 hours to complete. It includes the preparation time. The procedure does not need general anesthesia so the patient stays awake the whole time.
Q2. Is MRgFUS safe?
A. MRgFUS is a safe procedure with minimal risks. It has a short recovery time and some minor side effects.
Q3. What are the results and recovery times for MRgFUS?
A. The recovery time is very short. You may have to stay for a day in the hospital or you may be allowed to go back home the same day.
Q4. How do I know if MRgFUS is right for me?
A. Check the eligibility criteria in the above blog to determine whether MRgFUS is right for you.
Q5. What are the recent advances in treatments for Parkinson’s disease?
A. Apart from non-surgical procedures like MRgFUS, some recent surgical advancements for Parkinson’s disease are deep brain stimulation (DBS), Thalamotomy and thalamic stimulation, Pallidotomy and pallidal stimulation, and Subthalamic nucleus stimulation.
Ultrasound therapies like Exablate Neuro are another advancement.
Q6. What are some of the new treatments for Parkinson's disease?
A. MRgFUS and deep brain stimulation are some of the newest treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
Q7. Can people with other health conditions still get MRgFUS?
A. Yes, people with other health conditions can undergo MRgFUS. People who have hypertension, diabetes, mild heart or lung issues, stable kidney diseases, early dementia, osteoarthritis, or mild liver disease.
Q8. What are some risks and side effects of MRgFUS?
A. MRgFUS is considered a safe procedure but you may experience mild side effects like headaches, fatigue, or swelling at the treatment area.
Q9. What can I expect after the MRgFUS procedure?
A. You can go home the same day after the procedure. The recovery time is short and you may see reduced tremors within a few weeks. But you may experience more benefits in some time.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353802023001542
- https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/treatments-a-to-z/mr-guided-focused-ultrasound
- https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/m/mr-guided-focused-ultrasound.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/deep-brain-stimulation/about/pac-20384562
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/treatment/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350539
- https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/tremor
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Author Bio:
Dr. Ashita Nandgaonkar – BHMS, MS in psychological counseling
Dr. Ashita Nandgaonkar is a highly esteemed homeopathic doctor with a passion for holistic healing and patient-centered care. Dr. Nandgaonkar remains dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of homeopathy and promoting its integration into mainstream healthcare. Her mission is to empower individuals on their journey to health and wellness, embracing the holistic approach that homeopathy offers. She has a special interest in researching Homeopathic solutions for diseases that are difficult to treat with conventional medicines and therapies.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board