Essential tremor
Tremor - essential; Familial tremor; Tremor - familial; Benign essential tremor; Shaking - essential tremorEssential tremor (ET) is a type of involuntary shaking movement. It has no identified cause. Involuntary means you shake without trying to do so and are not able to stop the shaking at will.
Causes
ET is the most common type of tremor. Everyone has some tremor at times, but the movements are usually so small that they can't be seen. ET affects both men and women. It is most common in people older than 65 years.
The exact cause of ET is unknown. Research suggests that the part of the brain that controls muscle movements does not work correctly in people with ET.
If an ET occurs in more than one member of a family, it is called a familial tremor. This type of ET is passed down through families (inherited). This suggests that genes play a role in its cause.
Familial tremor is usually a dominant trait. This means that you only need to get the gene from one parent to develop the tremor. It often starts in early middle age, but may be seen in people who are older or younger, or even in children.
Symptoms
The tremor is more likely to be noticed in the forearm and hands. The arms, head, eyelids, or other muscles may also be affected. The tremor rarely occurs in the legs or feet. A person with ET may have trouble holding or using small objects such as silverware or a pen.
The shaking most often involves small, rapid movements occurring 4 to 12 times a second.
Specific symptoms may include:
- Head nodding
- A shaking or quivering sound to the voice if the tremor affects the voice box
- Problems with writing, drawing, drinking from a cup, or using tools if the tremor affects the hands
The tremors may:
- Occur during movement (action-related tremor) and may be less noticeable with rest
- Come and go, but often get worse with age
- Worsen with stress, caffeine, lack of sleep, and certain medicines
- Not affect both sides of the body the same way
- Improve slightly by drinking a small amount of alcohol
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider can make the diagnosis by performing a physical exam and asking about your medical and personal history.
Tests may be needed to check for other reasons for the tremors such as:
- Smoking and smokeless tobacco
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
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- Use of certain medicines
- Nervousness or anxiety
Blood tests and imaging tests (such as a CT scan of the head, brain MRI, and x-rays) are usually normal.
CT scan of the head
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
Brain MRI
A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
x-rays
A skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.
Treatment
Treatment may not be needed unless the tremors interfere with your daily activities or cause embarrassment.
HOME CARE
A tremor is a type of shaking in your body. Most tremors are in the hands and arms. However, they may affect any body part, even your head or voice...
For tremors made worse by stress, try techniques that help you relax. For tremors of any cause, avoid caffeine and get enough sleep.
For tremors caused or made worse by a medicine, talk to your provider about stopping the medicine, reducing the dosage, or switching. Do not change or stop any medicine on your own.
Severe tremors make it harder to do daily activities. You may need help with these activities. Things that can help include:
- Buying clothes with Velcro fasteners, or using button hooks
- Cooking or eating with utensils that are weighted and have a larger handle
- Using straws to drink
- Wearing slip-on shoes and using shoehorns
MEDICINES FOR TREMOR
Medicines may help relieve symptoms. The most commonly used medicines include:
- Propranolol, a beta blocker
- Primidone, a medicine used to treat seizures
These medicines can have side effects.
- Propranolol may cause fatigue, stuffy nose, or slow heartbeat, and it may make asthma worse.
- Primidone may cause drowsiness, problems concentrating, nausea, and problems with walking, balance, and coordination.
Other medicines that may reduce tremors include:
- Antiseizure medicines
- Mild tranquilizers
- Blood pressure medicines called calcium-channel blockers
Botulinum toxin injections may be tried to reduce tremors.
SURGERY
In severe cases, surgery may be tried. This may include:
- Focusing high-powered x-rays on a small area of the brain (stereotactic radiosurgery)
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power energy on a small area of the body. Despite its name, radiosur...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Implanting a stimulating device in the brain to signal the area that controls movement (deep brain stimulation)
Outlook (Prognosis)
An ET is not a dangerous problem. But some people find the tremors annoying and embarrassing. In some cases, it may be dramatic enough to interfere with work, writing, eating, or drinking.
Possible Complications
Sometimes, the tremors affect the vocal cords, which may lead to speech problems.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if:
- You have a new tremor
- Your tremor makes it hard to perform daily activities
- You have side effects from the medicines used to treat your tremor
Prevention
Alcoholic beverages in small quantities may decrease tremors. Alcohol consumption is not a recommended treatment for ET. Alcohol use disorder may develop, especially if you have a family history of such problems.
Alcohol use disorder
Alcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...
References
Bhatia KP, Bain P, Bajaj N, et al. Consensus Statement on the classification of tremors. from the task force on tremor of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Mov Disord. 2018;33(1):75-87. PMID: 29193359 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193359/.
Blomstedt P, Hariz M. Surgical management of tremor. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 109.
Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Maziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 96.
Okun MS, Ostrem JL. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 379.
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Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
illustration
Review Date: 6/13/2024
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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