SR0244 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0244 LRB096 12531 KXB 25699 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder, affecting up to 10 million Americans, including four to five percent of people aged 40 to 60, and six to nine percent of people aged 60 and older; and

WHEREAS, Essential tremor is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and other conditions; and

WHEREAS, Essential tremor is not a normal outcome of aging, as believed by many people including some physicians, but is an abnormal condition, primarily genetic, afflicting people of all ages, including newborns; and

WHEREAS, There are no medications that have been developed for people with essential tremor, the medications used were developed for other conditions and only help 60% of the people affected, and the only treatment specifically designed for essential tremor is brain surgery; and

WHEREAS, Essential tremor interferes with a person's ability to perform activities of daily living such as grooming and writing, and in approximately five percent of cases is totally disabling; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that people with essential tremor have a higher incidence of depression than the general population and that a significant number of these people isolate themselves in their homes; and

WHEREAS, Most people with essential tremor are not diagnosed until after several visits to the physician; and

WHEREAS, Essential tremor is a chronic condition that undermines the American economy through lost wages and work hours and high medical costs in getting an accurate diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, Overcoming the medical, social, and economic issues listed above depends upon research and research funding is dependent upon awareness; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Congress to designate the month of March, 2010 as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month for the purpose of raising awareness about the nation's number one neurological condition, affecting approximately 10 million Americans; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the people of the United States to observe National Essential Tremor Awareness Month with appropriate educational activities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Illinois congressional delegation and the leadership of the United States congress.