Essential Tremor
A tremor is trembling or shaking that you cannot control. Most tremors affect the hands or arms. Tremors can also affect the head, vocal cords, face, and other parts of the body.
Essential tremor is a tremor without a known cause.
CAUSES
An essential tremor has no known cause.
RISK FACTORS
You may be at greater risk of essential tremor if:
• You have a family member with essential tremor.
• You are age 40 years or older.
• You take certain medicines.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The main sign of a tremor is uncontrolled and unintentional rhythmic shaking of a body part. As a result, you may have:
• Difficulty eating with a spoon or fork.
• Difficulty writing.
• Nodding your head up and down or side to …show more content…
There is no single test to diagnose an essential tremor. However, your health care provider may perform a variety of tests to rule out other conditions. Tests may include:
• Blood and urine tests.
• Imaging studies of your brain, such as:
○ CT scan.
○ MRI.
• A test that measures involuntary muscle movement (electromyogram).
TREATMENT
Your tremors may go away without treatment. Mild tremors may not need treatment if they do not affect your day-to-day life. Severe tremors may need to be treated using one or a combination of the following options:
• Medicines. This may include medicine that is injected.
• Lifestyle changes.
• Physical therapy.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks per day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Do not use any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or electronic cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care
A tremor is trembling or shaking that you cannot control. Most tremors affect the hands or arms. Tremors can also affect the head, vocal cords, face, and other parts of the body.
Essential tremor is a tremor without a known cause.
CAUSES
An essential tremor has no known cause.
RISK FACTORS
You may be at greater risk of essential tremor if:
• You have a family member with essential tremor.
• You are age 40 years or older.
• You take certain medicines.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The main sign of a tremor is uncontrolled and unintentional rhythmic shaking of a body part. As a result, you may have:
• Difficulty eating with a spoon or fork.
• Difficulty writing.
• Nodding your head up and down or side to …show more content…
There is no single test to diagnose an essential tremor. However, your health care provider may perform a variety of tests to rule out other conditions. Tests may include:
• Blood and urine tests.
• Imaging studies of your brain, such as:
○ CT scan.
○ MRI.
• A test that measures involuntary muscle movement (electromyogram).
TREATMENT
Your tremors may go away without treatment. Mild tremors may not need treatment if they do not affect your day-to-day life. Severe tremors may need to be treated using one or a combination of the following options:
• Medicines. This may include medicine that is injected.
• Lifestyle changes.
• Physical therapy.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks per day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Do not use any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or electronic cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care