Essential Tremor

What is essential tremor?

Essential tremor is common neurological disorder. It is caused by a poorly understood disturbance of brain function. People with essential tremor experience shaking they cannot control.

Essential tremor can affect:

• The limbs, causing tremor in the hands and arms
• The head
• The vocal cords, making the voice sound shaky

Essential tremor occurs when the muscles are used. Unlike Parkinson tremor, essential tremor is usually not present when the limbs are relaxed. Tremor often begins in early adulthood. It may become more noticeable as people get older. Since tremor occurs during movement-such as while writing or eating-people may find it bothersome and embarrassing.

What are the treatments for essential tremor?

There is no cure for essential tremor, but there are treatments that give relief and improve quality of life. These include drug therapies and surgical procedures. The treatment chosen will depend on the severity of tremor and the side effects of each treatment.

Drug therapy

If the tremor interferes with your work or other daily activities, drugs may help. Neurologists looked at data for several drugs. Many people with tremors benefit from drug therapy. A decision to use drugs will depend on other medical conditions you have and potential side effects. Your doctor should discuss any serious side effects with you. Neurologists found that there are several drugs not recommended for treating essential tremor. There are also some drugs where there was not enough data to make a decision about their effectiveness and safety. If you have questions, discuss these drugs with your doctor.

Talk to your neurologist

It is best to see a doctor who has experience with tremor and movement disorders for diagnosis. You should have a thorough evaluation by a neurologist. He or she will examine the parts of your body that are shaking and determine if essential tremor or some other condition is the cause. Not every treatment works for every patient. Your doctor will recommend an individualized treatment plan, including lifestyle changes that may reduce your tremor. A treatment decision will depend on other medical conditions you have and potential side effects. Your doctor should discuss serious side effects, if any. All treatments have some side effects; the choice of which side effects can be tolerated depends on the individual.

© American Academy of Neurology