Essential Tremor

What is Essential Tremor?

Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder that causes rhythmic shaking of the hands, head, trunk, voice, or legs. It may be mild and non-bothersome in some people, and disabling in others. As many as one in four people develop ET as they age, and you are more likely to develop ET if you have a parent or sibling with the condition. There is no known way to prevent ET, and the cause is multifactorial and still being researched and debated.

Symptoms

If you have ET, here is what you might typically experience:

• Tremors are most noticeable in your hands, worsen with movement, like holding objects, and are less noticeable when you rest.
• Sometimes, you will experience shaking or a quivering sound in your voice, along with uncontrollable head-nodding.
• You have difficulty performing tasks with your hands, such as writing or using tools.
• Certain medications, caffeine, fatigue, stress, or extreme temperatures can worsen your tremors.
• Tremors worsen as you age.

ET vs. Parkinson's disease

People sometimes worry that ET is the start of Parkinson's disease. The two conditions differ in important ways, including:

• Timing of tremors. ET of the hands usually occurs during movement. Parkinson's disease tremors are most noticeable when the hands are at rest.
• Related conditions. ET doesn't cause other health problems; however, it may be linked to mood issues, memory changes, hearing loss, and some people develop additional neurological symptoms, such as an unsteady gait. Parkinson's disease is associated with a stooped posture, slow movement, and dragging the feet when walking.
• Parts of the body affected. ET affects the hands, head, and voice. Parkinson's disease tremors usually start in the hands and can also affect the legs, chin, and other body parts.

Causes

The cause of essential tremor is unknown. However, in most cases, the condition appears to be inherited from a parent. If your parent has ET, there is a 50% chance you or your children will inherit the gene responsible for the condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing essential tremor involves reviewing your medical and family history, symptoms, and a physical examination. There are no specific medical tests to diagnose essential tremor. Diagnosis often involves ruling out other conditions that could be causing symptoms. To do this, your healthcare professional may suggest the following:

• Neurological exam to test how well your nervous system is working.
• Lab tests to assess several factors, including thyroid disease, metabolic problems, medication side effects, and chemical levels that may cause tremor.
• Performance tests to evaluate the tremor itself.