

Drugs that you take by mouth can make essential tremor less severe. These can include medications or surgery. But if ET causes problems in your everyday life or if you find it socially unacceptable, treatments may improve symptoms. Mild essential tremor may not need treatment. There is no specific blood, urine, or other test used to diagnose ET.Īs part of the exam, your doctor may consider other causes of tremor, such as thyroid disease, too much caffeine, or medication side effects. How Is Essential Tremor Diagnosed?Ī neurologist or movement disorder specialist can usually diagnose essential tremor based on your symptoms and a complete neurological exam. Instead, some people diagnosed with ET may be incorrectly diagnosed at first and later turn out to have Parkinson's. Some experts think there’s no increased risk for Parkinson's disease for people with ET. People with ET may also be at high risk of having dementia (particularly Alzheimer’s disease).ĭrugs that treat essential tremor may also make you more likely to become depressed. Some reports have linked ET with migraine headaches. Other movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, have been associated with ET.

Many other factors or diseases can also cause tremors, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, fatigue after exercise, extreme emotional distress, brain tumors, some prescription drugs, metabolic problems, and alcohol or drug withdrawal.Ĭan Essential Tremor Increase the Risk for Other Illnesses?Įssential tremor is linked to other illnesses. Tremors that get worse when you move on purpose.

Tremors that get worse during emotional stress.Shaking for brief periods of time that you can’t control.The main symptoms of essential tremor include: What Are the Symptoms of Essential Tremor? Who Gets Essential Tremor?Įssential tremor is the most common movement disorder, affecting up to 10 million people in the U.S.ĮT can happen at any age, but it most often appears during adolescence or in middle age (between ages 40 and 50). Although ET is more common in older people - and symptoms become more serious with age - it is not a part of the natural aging process. Someone who has ET will have up to a 50% chance of passing down the responsible gene to their child, but the child may never have symptoms. Genes cause ET in half of all people with the condition. The thalamus is a structure deep in the brain that coordinates and controls muscle activity. What Causes Essential Tremor?ĭoctors don’t understand the true cause of essential tremor, but it’s thought that the unusual electrical brain activity that causes it is processed through the thalamus. It’s only when the tremors become severe that they actually cause disability. Most people are able to live regular lives with this condition, although they may find it hard to do everyday things like eating, dressing, or writing. The lower body is rarely involved.ĮT is not life-threatening unless it keeps someone from caring for themselves. It often affects areas like your hands, arms, head, larynx (voice box), tongue, and chin. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.Essential tremor is a nerve disorder that causes shaking that you can’t control in different parts and on different sides of your body.

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