March is Essential Tremor awareness month

Thursday, February 17, 2011

To the Editor:

Essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes shaking of the head, hands and voice. An estimated 10 million people in the United States have essential tremor (ET). March 2011 is an important time to increase awareness of this condition and provide helpful information to those that have or might have ET.

Last December, the United States House of Representatives formally passed House Resolution (H.RES.) 1264, sponsored by Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas), that officially designates March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month. This resolution, cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 56 Representatives, is the culmination of a three-year effort to gain recognition for a condition that affects the daily lives of so many people.

While not life-threatening, ET is a serious and progressive condition that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life – socially, professionally and emotionally. People with ET often have difficulty with everyday activities such as getting dressed, eating, drinking, speaking or writing.

Despite the large number of people directly affected by ET, there is still very little awareness of the disorder. In fact, ET is very frequently misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. Getting proper diagnosis for tremor is a key step in seeking treatment. Because ET can be treated in many cases, it is important for people to seek help early if they exhibit symptoms.

If you or someone you know may have symptoms of ET, then please consult a doctor for diagnosis. ET is often genetic so check with family members to see if others have the condition.

As a member of the international Essential Tremor Foundation, I have found this nonprofit organization to be a helpful resource where I learned more about ET symptoms, treatment, specialists, current research, and support groups. Since its inception, the IETF has distributed more than half a million dollars in research grants to fund 12 promising research studies to search for the cause of ET.

The IETF website also has more details about how to celebrate and raise awareness of National Essential Tremor Awareness Month. To learn more about essential tremor, visit the IETF website at www.essentialtremor.org or call 888.387.3667.

KELLY A. SMITH, BSN, RN

Bedford