Essential tremor poses challenges when it worsens.
Living with a constant tremor in my right hand for over five long years isn't exactly a walk in the park. Sure, they're not causing me immense trouble, but they do affect my neatness while writing and make eating with a fork or spoon a bit of a challenge. And let's not even get started on red wine spilled on unforgiving white carpets.
Doctors usually describe my condition as benign essential tremor, implying it's not harmful. But you might want to reconsider that assumption. Recent research shows that people dealing with essential tremors, just like me, are at an increased risk of developing dementia[1].
Now, that doesn't mean I'll turn into another Parkinson's patient, but the symptoms do share some similarities. Essential tremors occur during use of the affected body part, while Parkinson's tremors are more noticeable while at rest[2].
To better understand this unexpected link, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas followed around 200 senior adults dealing with essential tremors for an average of five years[1]. They monitored participants annually and at every exam checked for cognitive changes.
Surprisingly, they discovered that nearly one-fifth of the participants developed dementia during the study[1]. That's three times higher than the norm for the general population[1]. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of dementia, also affected around a quarter of the participants[1]. While these figures are lower than the ones for people with Parkinson's, this study confirms that essential tremors aren't as harmless as we once thought.
It's essential to note that MCI is a severe condition that, in many cases, is an early sign or stage of dementia[3]. Overlooking its symptoms could lead to unfavorable outcomes. Hence, it's crucial to recognize them in yourself or those around you[4]:
- Forgetting things more often.
- Missing appointments.
- Losing your train of thought.
- Having trouble following a conversation or keeping up with a movie or book's plot.
- Having a harder time making decisions, finishing a task, or following instructions.
- Developing poor judgement.
- Family and friends noticing any of these symptoms.
Fortunately, there are ways to support brain health and memory. Strengthening your brain with phosphatidylserine, a nootropic that declines with age, boosting omega-3s, regularly taking short breaks from sitting, focusing on anti-inflammation, and adopting an alkaline diet are a few strategies I'm considering to slow down the cognitive declines associated with essential tremors[4].
- To combat the potential risks associated with essential tremors, I'm exploring various avenues for brain health and memory, such as incorporating phosphatidylserine, a nootropic that declines with age.
- In light of the increased risk of dementia in people with essential tremors, acknowledging and addressing mental health issues becomes imperative.
- The link between essential tremors and chronic diseases like dementia emphasizes the importance of regular fitness and exercise in maintaining wellness and brain health.
- Apart from physical fitness, nutritional habits play a crucial role in brain health, especially when dealing with medical conditions like essential tremors, as inflammation can exacerbate symptoms.
- As I age, I'm paying close attention to neurological disorders and the prospect of developing neurological conditions like dementia, especially given the connection with essential tremors.
- The potential increase in cognitive issues due to essential tremors highlights the need for a balanced health-and-wellness routine, which might include the use of CBD oil, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential benefits for aging brain health.
