The symptoms come on gradually. At first, you may notice small, intermittent shaking in the hands or voice. It’s not too disruptive, but after awhile it becomes worrisome. Is it a sign of aging? Or something more severe – like the onset of Parkinson’s disease?

“Parkinson’s disease is only one of many possible causes of tremor,” explains Martha Nance, MD, a neurologist at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Struthers Parkinson’s Center. “With our new tremor program, we diagnose and treat all kinds of tremor.”

Different causes of tremor
Tremor is an involuntary, back-and-forth muscle movement that usually occurs in the hands, but may also affect the arms, head, face, voice, trunk or legs. Tremor caused by Parkinson’s disease usually occurs when the limbs are at rest. In contrast, essential tremor, a more common condition than Parkinson’s disease, tends to occur when someone is using the affected part, such as writing (hand tremor) or speaking (voice tremor).

New tremor services
Our tremor services are modeled after the center’s Parkinson’s disease assessment services, a comprehensive daylong program in which patients meet with the nurse, social worker, and physical, occupational and speech therapists, as well as the doctor.

The tremor program includes an evaluation by the neurologist, followed by a functional evaluation by the occupational therapist (for hand tremor) or speech therapist (for voice tremor). “Same-day assessments by the doctor and therapist benefit both Parkinson’s and tremor patients,” Dr. Nance explains.

Many care options
Patients receive personalized care at the center. “We see people in all stages of their disease, with or without a previous diagnosis, just once or many times,” Dr. Nance adds. “As a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence, we are a national leader in long-term management of Parkinson’s disease. We strive to improve the quality of life for our patients throughout the course of their disease.”

On-site rehabilitation therapists, social work services, clinical research, support groups, patient and caregiver classes, and a day program round out the long list of opportunities available at this unique center.

New nurse practitioner addresses Parkinson’s many symptoms
Tremor is just one of many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s usually have other motor symptoms, including slowed movement, stiffness, and changes in posture and gait. In addition to symptoms that affect movement, Parkinson’s can lead to changes in thinking and memory, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, skin quality and bladder and bowel control.

“We are particularly excited about our new nurse practitioner, Jean Schaaf, who is an expert in helping patients address the complex symptoms of Parkinson’s disease,” Dr. Nance says. “She provides individualized education and support, rapid outpatient evaluation and follow-up, as well as advance planning for patients and their families.”

Surgery for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease
Within the past decade, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has been approved as a treatment for certain patients with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor. “The neurosurgeon implants an electrode into the brain, and connects it to a pacemaker-like programmable battery by the collarbone. The device delivers electrical stimulation to a carefully selected target deep in the brain, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause tremor. To learn how this treatment has changed one woman’s life, read “Finding beauty in life with Parkinson’s.”

To learn more about tremor services and Parkinson’s disease, call 952-993-5495 or visit Struthers Parkinson’s Center.