Essential Tremor

Causes and Symptoms of Essential Tremor

The cause of essential tremor is still being investigated. Sometimes, the condition occurs in families and is called familial tremor.

Symptoms can vary in intensity, location and the age of onset. Although there are higher incidences of essential tremor (ET) in older age groups, adolescents and younger children can develop ET. Initial symptoms most often appear in the hands, but can also affect different areas:

• Tremors occur when the affected body part is kinetic—in motion
• Tremors may occur during daily actions such as drinking from a cup, writing, holding a paper or punching in numbers on your phone
• Shaking or quaking may occur in the head (jaw, chin, face tongue, etc.), voice, hands, arms, trunk or legs
• May affect one side of the body more than the other
• Tremors may be triggered by stress, fatigue or caffeine
• Unlike Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms of ET do not manifest during rest or when the body is still.

How Is Essential Tremor Diagnosed?

A detailed medical history—including any history of familial tremor—and a comprehensive physical exam can help your neurologist accurately diagnose essential tremor.

State-of-the-Art Treatments for Essential Tremor at NSPC

For patients with essential tremor, especially children, occupational therapy can help mitigate some of the disease’s interference in daily life. Medications may also be useful, for instance, beta-adrenergic blockers such as Propranolol or Primidone, anti-seizure drugs, benzodiazepines like Klonopin (Clonazepam), or botulinum toxin such as Botox. Head and voice shaking has been reduced with regular injections of Botox.

If the more conservative approaches are not successful in controlling the tremors, then surgical methods may be recommended.

Non-invasive Treatments