Gamma Knife Center
Gamma Knife Treatable Disorders
To be referred to a Los Robles Hopital & Medical Center Gamma Knife Center physician call 1-877-888-5746
Gamma Knife Treatable Disorders
Gamma Knife radiosurgery - a noninvasive treatment for brain tumors- has been extensively tested and proven effective in fighting cancer. But it is also being used to treat other disorders of the brain.
"In addition to the treatment of brain tumors and blood vessel malformations, the Gamma Knife is opening new avenues of treatment for people with movement disorders," says neurosurgeon Ronald F. Young, M.D., co-director of the NeuroScience Gamma Knife Center at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center.
"We can now help people with Essential Tremor and Parkinson Disease. And it can also be used to treat a severe facial pain condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia and treat malformed blood vessels. It’s amazing how we can offer people a better quality of life with the Gamma Knife."
What is it?Essential Tremor is uncontrollable shaking, usually in the hands and forearms. The head many also move in a yes-yes or no-no movement, and the voice may tremble. Essential tremor occurs when muscles are in use, and it often shows up with actions such as lifting a fork or pouring into a cup.
The cause of Essential Tremor is unclear, but experts believe it is related to abnormal communications between certain areas of the brain.
Who gets it? Most people with Essential Tremor have a family history of the condition and that’s why it’s sometimes called familial tremor. Though the risk of developing the disorder increases with age – up to 9 percent of people over 60 may have it – adults in their 20’s and 30’s, and sometimes even children, can have Essential Tremor. It affects men and women equally.
What can happen? In some people, Essential Tremor is barely noticeable, while others may have trouble eating, writing, or speaking. The term for this condition was "benign tremor". However, that term can be misleading, because sometimes it’s not benign, and many times it affects the person’s quality of life.
Another issue to consider is the social effect of Essential Tremor. Some people are very embarrassed by their movement disorder and dread going out socially or even continuing with their career. It’s important to understand how emotionally debilitating this can be.
Being tired, excited, or hungry can make Essential Tremor worse, as can caffeine, nicotine, and some medications. Symptoms can also worsen over time.
The latest treatment
