Tremor Specialist

What is a tremor?

A tremor is a type of movement disorder that results in involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions. The muscle contractions then cause various parts of the body to shake, such as the hands, arms, head, legs, or vocal cords. The tremor may be constant or intermittent. 

Though not life-threatening, your tremor may make it hard for you to engage in your daily activities, affecting your quality of life.

Dr. Lalani is a highly trained and experienced neurologist who takes a patient-centered approach to care. He can determine the cause of your tremor and provide the most effective treatment so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy. 

What are the common causes of a tremor?

A tremor typically occurs from a problem in the part of your brain that controls movement. Conditions that cause tremors include:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Restless leg syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke

Not all tremors occur from an underlying medical condition. When you have a tremor without a known cause, you have an essential tremor. 

What happens during a tremor evaluation?

Dr. Lalani performs a comprehensive history and physical to diagnose your tremor. During your evaluation, he asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and family history.

He then performs a physical and neurological exam, paying close attention to the area where you experience the tremor. To confirm or rule out an underlying cause to explain your tremor, Dr. Lalani may request a urinalysis, blood work, or imaging of your brain. 

How is a tremor treated?

Treatment for your tremor may depend on the severity of your shaking and the underlying cause. Dr. Lalani takes a patient-centered approach to care and first talks to you about your diagnosis and treatment options to make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.

For patients with a mild tremor, Dr. Lalani may only recommend routine follow-up appointments to monitor symptoms. However, if your tremor interferes with your daily activities, Dr. Lalani may recommend oral medication, external devices, or deep brain stimulation to help you manage symptoms. 

He also provides specific treatment recommendations based on the underlying cause of your tremor. He prescribes carbidopa-levodopa for Parkinson’s disease and may recommend lifestyle changes for restless legs syndrome.  

A tremor may affect your ability to manage your activities of daily living. For a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan, call the office of Irfan Lalani, MD, PA, or schedule an appointment online today.