Essential tremor is a movement disorder that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking (tremor), especially in the hands. It is distinguished from tremor that results from other disorders or known causes, such as Parkinson's disease or head trauma. Essential tremor usually occurs alone, without other neurological signs or symptoms. However, some experts think that essential tremor can include additional features, such as mild balance problems.

Essential tremor usually occurs with movements and can occur during many different types of activities, such as eating, drinking, or writing. Essential tremor can also occur when the muscles are opposing gravity, such as when the hands are extended. It is usually not evident at rest.

In addition to the hands and arms, muscles of the trunk, face, head, and neck may also exhibit tremor in this disorder; the legs and feet are less often involved. Head tremor may appear as a "yes-yes" or "no-no" movement while the affected individual is seated or standing. In some people with essential tremor, the tremor may affect the voice (vocal tremor).

Essential tremor does not shorten the lifespan. However, it may interfere with fine motor skills such as using eating utensils, writing, shaving, or applying makeup, and in some cases these and other activities of daily living can be greatly impaired. Symptoms of essential tremor may be aggravated by emotional stress, anxiety, fatigue, hunger, caffeine, cigarette smoking, or temperature extremes.

Essential tremor may appear at any age but is most common in older adults. Some studies have suggested that people with essential tremor have a higher than average risk of developing neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease or sensory problems such as hearing loss, especially in individuals whose tremor appears after age 65.

Essential tremor (also known as benign essential tremor and familial tremor) is a common movement disorder that involves a tremor (unwanted and uncontrolled shaking) in both hands and arms during action and when standing still. It also may affect your head and voice and how you walk. However, essential tremor is not the same as Parkinson's disease. There is no cure for essential tremor, but treatments are available to ease symptoms.

Neurological symptoms may include:

• Uncontrolled shaking in the hands and arms
• A shaky voice
• Problems with walking or balance
• A shaky motion of the head

Risk factors include:

• Genetics—About 50 percent of the cases of essential tremor are thought to be caused by a genetic risk factor (referred to as familial tremor). Children of a parent who has familial tremor have greater risk of inheriting the condition. Familial forms of essential tremor often appear early in life.
• Age—Although essential tremor can start at any age, it is most common in people between ages 40 and 50.

The exact cause of essential tremor is unknown. Studies show essential tremor is accompanied by a mild degeneration of the cerebellum, which is the part of your brain that controls movement. In some people, certain medications can cause tremor. Heightened emotion, stress, fever, physical exhaustion, or low blood sugar may trigger tremors or increase their severity.

Although essential tremor is not life-threatening, it can make it harder to perform daily tasks and is embarrassing to some people. Symptomatic drug therapy may include beta blocking drugs like propranolol, anti-seizure drugs like primidone, and tranquilizers. Eliminating tremor "triggers" such as caffeine and other stimulants from the diet is often recommended.

Essential tremor is a common disorder, affecting up to 10 million people in the United States. Estimates of its prevalence vary widely because several other disorders, as well as other factors such as certain medications, can result in similar tremors. In addition, mild cases are often not brought to medical attention, or may not be detected in clinical exams that do not include the particular circumstances in which an individual's tremor occurs. Severe cases are often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease.

The causes of essential tremor are unknown. Researchers are studying several areas (loci) on particular chromosomes that may be linked to essential tremor, but no specific genetic associations have been confirmed. Several genes as well as environmental factors likely help determine an individual's risk of developing this complex condition. The specific changes in the nervous system that account for the signs and symptoms of essential tremor are unknown.

Essential tremor can be passed through generations in families, but the inheritance pattern varies. In most affected families, essential tremor appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder, although no genes that cause essential tremor have been identified. In other families, the inheritance pattern is unclear. Essential tremor may also appear in people with no history of the disorder in their family.

In some families, some individuals have essential tremor while others have other movement disorders, such as involuntary muscle tensing (dystonia). The potential genetic connection between essential tremor and other movement disorders is an active area of research.

Essential tremor is a disorder of the nervous system that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking (tremor). The signs and symptoms of essential tremor often worsen over time, but symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. While it most often affects the hands and arms (one or both), it can also affect the head, voice, chin, legs, and trunk. A recent study reported the following rate of clinical exam findings of tremor in people with essential tremor:

• Upper extremities (97%)
• Voice (62%)
• Head or neck (48%)
• Lower extremities (9%)
• Chin (9%)
• Trunk (4%)

Head tremor typically occurs along with other tremor, such as of the hand or voice. Rarely (in severe cases) essential tremor may mildly affect walking and mental proccessing. Factors triggering tremor can vary between people with essential tremor.

Treatment for essential tremor may not be necessary unless the tremors interfere with daily activities or cause embarrassment. Although there is no definitive cure for essential tremor, medicines may help relieve symptoms. How well medicines work depend on the individual patient. Two medications used to treat tremors include:

• Propranolol, a drug that blocks the action of stimulating substances called neurotransmitters, particularly those related to adrenaline
• Primidone, an antiseizure drug that also control the function of some neurotransmitters

These drugs can have significant side effects.

Eliminating tremor "triggers" such as caffeine and other stimulants from the diet is often recommended. Physical therapy may help to reduce tremor and improve coordination and muscle control for some patients.