Many people have experienced a hand tremor, whether it be due to anxiety, a skipped meal, or a little bit too much caffeine. These mild tremors usually go away on their own and are nothing to worry about.
In other cases, a tremor may be a sign of Essential tremor (ET)— a progressive, neurological disease characterized by tremors, usually in the hands or arms. Tremors caused by ET can interfere with a person’s ability to do simple tasks, including drinking from a glass, writing with a pen, or tying shoelaces. In North America, an estimated 4% of individuals aged 40 and over are affected by ET.
Steadiwear, a medical device start up, has created the Steadi-Two — an assistive device designed to reduce tremors for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and ET. The results of a survey conducted by Steadiwear concluded that the majority of people with a hand-tremor search for information online. However, the internet can be flooded with medical jargon and misleading information. Here at Steadiwear, we want to help you differentiate ET facts from ET fiction.
If you have a tremor, you have PD or ET
FICTION
While a tremor is a symptom of both PD and ET, there are various other explanations for why you may be experiencing a shaky hand. The presence of a tremor may cause you to further investigate your health status, but it does not necessarily mean you have PD or ET. Many people who suffer from PD or ET have other symptoms, including slow or impaired movement, tremors in the voice, gait and balance problems, and mental health challenges. If you think you may have PD or ET, it is a good idea to reach out to your primary physician, who may recommend diagnostic testing or refer you to a specialist.
ET has an unknown cause
FACT
It is likely that ET results as a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If a parent has ET, then genetically, their child has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. The environmental factors that may play a part in the onset of PD include exposure to heavy metals, specifically lead and manganese. These toxins can cause brain changes, which may increase your chances of developing ET. Unfortunately, since there is no known cause of ET, there are very few ways to prevent its onset.
ET is a condition that only affects the older adult population
FICTION
While ET is more common among the 40+ age group, there have been multiple instances where ET has been observed in Children as young as two years old. Individuals who have a family history of the disease tend to experience earlier onset, compared to those with idiopathic (non-genetic, or random) ET.
There is no cure for ET, but there are various treatment options available
FACT
Treatments for ET can include a variety of different medications which can help to control blood pressure, or botox to help with muscle control. Surgeries can sometimes provide relief for people with ET. Many people with ET have undergone Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which is a surgery that can help reduce or eliminate tremors. While medications and surgeries can provide a lot of temporary relief, they often fall short in long term success. For that reason, the Steadi-Two is a great option.
The Steadi-two is a non-invasive, battery free assistive device that can help people with PD or ET reduce the severity of their tremor, without the intervention of medications or surgeries. If you would like to learn more about the Steadi-Two, or reserve your unit today for just $99 USD, click here.
If you are looking for more information about ET, here are some reliable resources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/essential-tremor-disorder
Have a question about PD or ET? Do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Steadiwear at info@steadiwear.com.