What is Essential Tremor or ET
Have you ever observed someone's hands, head, or body trembling when they are holding a glass, trying to write or just sitting still and wondered what was wrong with them.
Essential Tremor is a neurological disease in which there is a problem with movement control: either there is excessive movement, or a paucity of voluntary and automatic movements, that is unrelated to muscle weakness or paralysis.
Many people who have Essential Tremor become disabled at worst and feel frustrated or embarrassed at best.
Quality of life is a big issue for people with ET. Daily activities such as feeding, drinking, grooming and writing become difficult if not impossible. Stereotypes shape the way we think about people and situations.
With awareness, people with Essential Tremors can come out of hiding; live normal lives as anyone with a disability.
Essential Tremor
Other names for Essential Tremor
Essential Tremor is caused by overactive cells in the area of the brain called the thalamus. The thalamus is about the size of a walnut and within the brain there are two of them. If there are overactive cells in the right thalamus, the person will have signs of tremor on the left side and vice versa. Some patients suffer from tremor on both sides.
Essential tremors (ET) is when you have uncontrolled shaking movements in parts of your body - most commonly the arms and hands. It tends to occur in families. It is mild in some people but can become severe, debilitating, and demoralizing. First and foremost, Essential Tremor can begin at any age from ages 1 to 100. ET doesn’t discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin.
The inherited variety of essential tremor is an autosomal dominant disorder. An altered gene from just one parent is needed to pass on the condition. If you have a parent with an altered gene for essential tremor, you have a 50% chance of developing the disorder yourself.
What is Essential Tremor? ET is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Over100 million people in the world (including children) suffer from Essential Tremor.
Essential tremor usually starts in one hand or one of your arms. Within 1-2 years, the other hand/arm is likely to be affected and it may spread to involve the legs, head, and voice. It can sometimes become quite severe so that everyday activities can become difficult. ET isn’t only a social problem it can interfere with all aspects of your life like walking and speech can become difficult when your voice quivers so you have trouble talking. Loss of your abilities is hard to have a purpose in life. The tremor is usually not there at rest but becomes noticeable when the affected body part is held in a position, or with movement. The tremor can be present at all times and may be worse with stress, tiredness, hunger or certain emotions such as anger. Extremes in temperature may also make the tremor more severe.
What is tremor?
Tremor is an unintentional, rhythmic muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements (oscillations) of one or more parts of the body. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, head, face, voice, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. In some people, tremor is a symptom of a neurological disorder or appears as a side effect of certain drugs. The most common form of tremor, however, occurs in otherwise largely healthy people. Although tremor is not life-threatening, it can be embarrassing to some people and make it harder to perform daily tasks.
What are the characteristics of tremor? Characteristics may include a rhythmic shaking in the hands, arms, head, legs, or trunk; shaky voice; difficulty writing or drawing; or problems holding and controlling utensils, such as a fork. Some tremors may be triggered by or become exaggerated during times of stress or strong emotion, when the individual is physically exhausted, or during certain postures or movements.
Tremor may occur at any age but is most common in middle-aged and older persons. It may be occasional, temporary, or occur intermittently. Tremor affects men and women equally.
A useful way to understand and describe tremors is to define them according to the following types.
Resting tremor occurs when the muscle is relaxed, such as when the hands are lying on the lap or hanging next to the trunk while standing or walking. It may be seen as a shaking of the limb, even when the person is at rest. Often, the tremor affects only the hand or fingers. This type of tremor is often seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
An action tremor occurs during any type of movement of an affected body part. There are several subclassifications of action tremor.
Postural tremor occurs when the person maintains a position against gravity, such as holding the arms outstretched. Kinetic tremor appears during movement of a body part, such as moving the wrists up and down, while intention tremor is present during a purposeful movement toward a target, such as touching a finger to one’s nose during a medical exam.
Task-specific tremor appears when performing highly skilled, goal-oriented tasks such as handwriting or speaking.
Isometric tremor occurs during a voluntary muscle contraction that is not accompanied by any movement.
What causes essential tremor?
The true cause of essential tremor is still not understood, but it is thought that the abnormal electrical brain activity that causes tremor is processed through the thalamus. The thalamus is a structure deep in the brain that coordinates and controls muscle activity.
Genetics is responsible for causing ET in half of all people with the condition. A child born to a parent with ET will have up to a 50% chance of inheriting the responsible gene, but may never actually experience symptoms. Although ET is more common in the elderly -- and symptoms become more pronounced with age -- it is not a part of the natural aging process.
Essential tremor is known to be familial condition, meaning that it runs in families. At least 5-7 out of 10 people with essential tremor have other members of the family with the same condition. Genes are passed on to a child from each parent and determine what we look like, how our body functions and even what diseases we get. Particular genes have been shown to have certain changes present in families with essential tremor.
Up to 7 in 10 people with essential tremor find that the tremor reduces after drinking some alcohol.
What are Movement Disorders Have you ever observed someone's hands, head or body trembling when they are holding a glass, trying to write or just sitting still and wondered what was wrong with them.
Movement disorders are neurological illnesses in which there is a problem with movement control: either there is excessive movement, or a paucity of voluntary and automatic movements, that is unrelated to muscle weakness or paralysis.
Have you ever observed someone's hands, head, or body trembling when they are holding a glass, trying to write or just sitting still and wondered what was wrong with them.
Essential Tremor is a neurological disease in which there is a problem with movement control: either there is excessive movement, or a paucity of voluntary and automatic movements, that is unrelated to muscle weakness or paralysis.
Many people who have Essential Tremor become disabled at worst and feel frustrated or embarrassed at best.
Quality of life is a big issue for people with ET. Daily activities such as feeding, drinking, grooming and writing become difficult if not impossible. Stereotypes shape the way we think about people and situations.
With awareness, people with Essential Tremors can come out of hiding; live normal lives as anyone with a disability.
Essential Tremor
Other names for Essential Tremor
- Familial tremor
- Benign essential tremor
- Hereditary essential tremor
Essential Tremor is caused by overactive cells in the area of the brain called the thalamus. The thalamus is about the size of a walnut and within the brain there are two of them. If there are overactive cells in the right thalamus, the person will have signs of tremor on the left side and vice versa. Some patients suffer from tremor on both sides.
Essential tremors (ET) is when you have uncontrolled shaking movements in parts of your body - most commonly the arms and hands. It tends to occur in families. It is mild in some people but can become severe, debilitating, and demoralizing. First and foremost, Essential Tremor can begin at any age from ages 1 to 100. ET doesn’t discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin.
The inherited variety of essential tremor is an autosomal dominant disorder. An altered gene from just one parent is needed to pass on the condition. If you have a parent with an altered gene for essential tremor, you have a 50% chance of developing the disorder yourself.
What is Essential Tremor? ET is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Over100 million people in the world (including children) suffer from Essential Tremor.
Essential tremor usually starts in one hand or one of your arms. Within 1-2 years, the other hand/arm is likely to be affected and it may spread to involve the legs, head, and voice. It can sometimes become quite severe so that everyday activities can become difficult. ET isn’t only a social problem it can interfere with all aspects of your life like walking and speech can become difficult when your voice quivers so you have trouble talking. Loss of your abilities is hard to have a purpose in life. The tremor is usually not there at rest but becomes noticeable when the affected body part is held in a position, or with movement. The tremor can be present at all times and may be worse with stress, tiredness, hunger or certain emotions such as anger. Extremes in temperature may also make the tremor more severe.
What is tremor?
Tremor is an unintentional, rhythmic muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements (oscillations) of one or more parts of the body. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, head, face, voice, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. In some people, tremor is a symptom of a neurological disorder or appears as a side effect of certain drugs. The most common form of tremor, however, occurs in otherwise largely healthy people. Although tremor is not life-threatening, it can be embarrassing to some people and make it harder to perform daily tasks.
What are the characteristics of tremor? Characteristics may include a rhythmic shaking in the hands, arms, head, legs, or trunk; shaky voice; difficulty writing or drawing; or problems holding and controlling utensils, such as a fork. Some tremors may be triggered by or become exaggerated during times of stress or strong emotion, when the individual is physically exhausted, or during certain postures or movements.
Tremor may occur at any age but is most common in middle-aged and older persons. It may be occasional, temporary, or occur intermittently. Tremor affects men and women equally.
A useful way to understand and describe tremors is to define them according to the following types.
Resting tremor occurs when the muscle is relaxed, such as when the hands are lying on the lap or hanging next to the trunk while standing or walking. It may be seen as a shaking of the limb, even when the person is at rest. Often, the tremor affects only the hand or fingers. This type of tremor is often seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
An action tremor occurs during any type of movement of an affected body part. There are several subclassifications of action tremor.
Postural tremor occurs when the person maintains a position against gravity, such as holding the arms outstretched. Kinetic tremor appears during movement of a body part, such as moving the wrists up and down, while intention tremor is present during a purposeful movement toward a target, such as touching a finger to one’s nose during a medical exam.
Task-specific tremor appears when performing highly skilled, goal-oriented tasks such as handwriting or speaking.
Isometric tremor occurs during a voluntary muscle contraction that is not accompanied by any movement.
What causes essential tremor?
The true cause of essential tremor is still not understood, but it is thought that the abnormal electrical brain activity that causes tremor is processed through the thalamus. The thalamus is a structure deep in the brain that coordinates and controls muscle activity.
Genetics is responsible for causing ET in half of all people with the condition. A child born to a parent with ET will have up to a 50% chance of inheriting the responsible gene, but may never actually experience symptoms. Although ET is more common in the elderly -- and symptoms become more pronounced with age -- it is not a part of the natural aging process.
Essential tremor is known to be familial condition, meaning that it runs in families. At least 5-7 out of 10 people with essential tremor have other members of the family with the same condition. Genes are passed on to a child from each parent and determine what we look like, how our body functions and even what diseases we get. Particular genes have been shown to have certain changes present in families with essential tremor.
Up to 7 in 10 people with essential tremor find that the tremor reduces after drinking some alcohol.
What are Movement Disorders Have you ever observed someone's hands, head or body trembling when they are holding a glass, trying to write or just sitting still and wondered what was wrong with them.
Movement disorders are neurological illnesses in which there is a problem with movement control: either there is excessive movement, or a paucity of voluntary and automatic movements, that is unrelated to muscle weakness or paralysis.
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Essential Tremor is a progressive neurological disease that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk, the largest movement disorder in the world, affecting over 100 million (including children). ET and can worsen with time causing serious debility. It tends to occur in families. It can begin at any age and doesn’t discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin.
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How is essential tremor diagnosed? There is no test to diagnose essential tremor. Your doctor can usually diagnose essential tremor based on your explanation of the tremor and an examination. It is important for the doctor to make sure that there are no other conditions present that are causing tremor. In some cases, this may mean that you need to have some tests to rule out other conditions. For example, blood tests or a brain scan. You may also be referred to a movement disorder doctor (a doctor with a special interest and expertise in the brain and nerves).
While the diagnosis of ET remains a visual one, certain brain scans Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) may be helpful in eliminating any other conditions which also produce tremor as a symptom. For example growths such as tumors or damage to the brain can be seen on certain brain scans. Blood samples may also be taken to rule out thyroid or copper metabolism problems, both of which can cause tremor. DATScan a diagnostic test can distinguish between ET and tremor of Parkinson's disease.
Other conditions that can cause tremor and need to be ruled out include a side effect from some prescribed medicines, anxiety, caffeine, some poisons, kidney, liver disease, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
What is the treatment for essential tremor? Essential tremor cannot be cured. Treatment may reduce the severity of the tremor. There are various treatments that are used.
Medication There are two medicines used initially for essential tremor - propranolol and primidone. These medicines have been shown to ease the tremor in up to 8 in 10 affected people.
Propranolol - this is a medicine that is usually used in heart disease. It is in a class of medicines called beta-blockers. It has also been shown to be effective in essential tremor. This medicine should be used with care if you have a heart conduction problem or a lung disease such as asthma. The most common side effects with propranolol are dizziness, tiredness, and nausea (feeling sick).
Primidone (Mysoline), - this is a medicine that is primarily used for epilepsy, but it also works very well in essential tremor. The most common side-effects are sleepiness, dizziness and nausea. These may improve if you continue to take this medicine.
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections. Botox injections might be useful in treating some types of tremors, especially head and voice tremors. Botox injections can improve tremors for up to three months at a time.
However, if Botox is used to treat hand tremors, it can cause weakness in your fingers. If it's used to treat voice tremors, it can cause a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing.
When the diagnosis of essential tremor is made, you may be offered one of these medicines. A low dose is usually started at first, and gradually increased until your tremor is eased. If you reach the maximum dose without a satisfactory improvement, then the other medicine can be tried. If that also doesn't work, you can try them together. Other medicines can be tried if these two are not effective. A wide range of medicines have been shown to have some effect on reducing the severity of the tremor.
Adaptive devices. These are external devices that can help change or control how severe your tremors are. They may help anyone with ET, but people who have disabling tremors are generally not considered good candidates. The devices include neuromodulation devices that you wear and control yourself, and tremor cancellation devices that control hand tremors, allowing you to eat or write.
Surgery If medicine treatment is not effective, and the tremor is severe, then a surgical procedure may be an option. There are three surgical procedures that may be considered - thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS)plus there are alternative less invasive treatment options for Essential Tremor such as the Gamma Knife thalamotomy and the other is Neuravive.
They involve the thalamus. This is a deep part of the brain that organizes messages travelling between the body and brain.
Thalamic deep brain stimulation- this procedure involves placing an electrode (fine wire) into the thalamus on one or both sides of the brain. The electrode is connected to a device called a stimulator. The electrode and stimulator stay in the body. (The stimulator is placed under the skin at the top of the chest.) The simulator sends electrical impulses down the electrode to the thalamus. It is not known exactly why this device works. It seems to interrupt or block the nerve signals coming through the thalamus that cause the tremor. If you have this procedure, you will need to have regular reviews to make sure that the stimulator setting is correct. This aims to minimize side-effects and maximize benefit. It may produce a good response in up to 9 out of 10 affected people. Again, there is a small risk that the procedure may cause a bleed into the brain. Side effects include loss of sensation, speech problems, and weakness. These usually resolve when the stimulator settings are adjusted.
Gamma Knife
The Gamma Knife procedure Is a non-surgical treatment using highly focused radiation to kill the cells causing the tremor. Overactive cells in this area can cause hand tremors in patients, and the ionizing radiation used during the procedure destroys the affected area without harming the surrounding, healthy tissue. Patients who opt for Gamma Knife generally see results within three to six months after the procedure, and they also experience lower complication rates in comparison to conventional surgery options. Because Gamma Knife destroys the affected cells, the results are not reversible or adjustable.
The result is an immediate and significant reduction of tremor for patients.
Neuravive/Focused Ultrasound
Similar to Gamma Knife’s approach, Neuravive aims to target and destroy the brain cells that are causing the patient to experience a tremor. However, Neuravive uses MR-guided focused ultrasound to treat the cells instead of ionized radiation. This technique has already seen success in treatment for uterine fibroids, prostate cancer, and other conditions. Patients often do not have to wait for results and generally enjoy a decreased tremor immediately following the procedure. Neuravive’s results are also not reversible or adjustable due to brain lesioning.
While patients have experienced positive results from Gamma Knife and Neuravive, results may vary from case to case.
This treatment approach requires no surgery or general anesthesia and results in minimal downtime. The procedure is performed as outpatient and does not require a hospital stay.
Difference in non-invasive procedures
MINIMAL HOSPITALIZATION and short recovery time
SHARP, ACCURATE Lesions as small as 2mm, no penetrating trajectories, no implanted hardware, no ionizing radiation, less risk of infection.
immediate results
Stem Cells & ET?
Stem cells are the body's raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory, stem cells divide to form more cells called daughter cells.
These daughter cells either become new stem cells (self-renewal) or become specialized cells (differentiation) with a more specific function, such as blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle or bone. No other cell in the body has the natural ability to generate new cell types.
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Botulinum toxin injections. There is some evidence that Botox injections are helpful in reducing certain tremors. Unfortunately, a Botox injection into the arm also produces weakness of the arm. This is usually not tolerated. It is mainly useful when essential tremor affects the head and neck.
Alcohol - Many people find that alcohol is helpful in reducing their tremor. It needs to be used with caution to avoid developing an alcohol problem. It is not advisable to drink more than the normal recommended amount of alcohol. That is: men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Pregnant women, and women trying to become pregnant, should not drink alcohol at all. One unit is in about half a pint of normal strength beer, or two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirits.
Research Study
Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke are evaluating the effectiveness of 1-octanol, a substance similar to alcohol but less intoxicating, for treating essential tremor. Results of two previous NIH studies have shown this agent to be promising as a potential new treatment.
Clinical Trials Join Here
Avoid caffeine. Caffeine and other stimulants can increase tremors
Stress and anxiety Stress and anxiety tend to make tremors worse, and being relaxed may improve tremors.
What is the outlook? Essential tremor is a progressive disease. This means that it tends to gets worse over time. There needs to be more research on the cause to find more medicines that work for ET and to find a cure.
While the diagnosis of ET remains a visual one, certain brain scans Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) may be helpful in eliminating any other conditions which also produce tremor as a symptom. For example growths such as tumors or damage to the brain can be seen on certain brain scans. Blood samples may also be taken to rule out thyroid or copper metabolism problems, both of which can cause tremor. DATScan a diagnostic test can distinguish between ET and tremor of Parkinson's disease.
Other conditions that can cause tremor and need to be ruled out include a side effect from some prescribed medicines, anxiety, caffeine, some poisons, kidney, liver disease, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
What is the treatment for essential tremor? Essential tremor cannot be cured. Treatment may reduce the severity of the tremor. There are various treatments that are used.
Medication There are two medicines used initially for essential tremor - propranolol and primidone. These medicines have been shown to ease the tremor in up to 8 in 10 affected people.
Propranolol - this is a medicine that is usually used in heart disease. It is in a class of medicines called beta-blockers. It has also been shown to be effective in essential tremor. This medicine should be used with care if you have a heart conduction problem or a lung disease such as asthma. The most common side effects with propranolol are dizziness, tiredness, and nausea (feeling sick).
Primidone (Mysoline), - this is a medicine that is primarily used for epilepsy, but it also works very well in essential tremor. The most common side-effects are sleepiness, dizziness and nausea. These may improve if you continue to take this medicine.
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections. Botox injections might be useful in treating some types of tremors, especially head and voice tremors. Botox injections can improve tremors for up to three months at a time.
However, if Botox is used to treat hand tremors, it can cause weakness in your fingers. If it's used to treat voice tremors, it can cause a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing.
When the diagnosis of essential tremor is made, you may be offered one of these medicines. A low dose is usually started at first, and gradually increased until your tremor is eased. If you reach the maximum dose without a satisfactory improvement, then the other medicine can be tried. If that also doesn't work, you can try them together. Other medicines can be tried if these two are not effective. A wide range of medicines have been shown to have some effect on reducing the severity of the tremor.
Adaptive devices. These are external devices that can help change or control how severe your tremors are. They may help anyone with ET, but people who have disabling tremors are generally not considered good candidates. The devices include neuromodulation devices that you wear and control yourself, and tremor cancellation devices that control hand tremors, allowing you to eat or write.
Surgery If medicine treatment is not effective, and the tremor is severe, then a surgical procedure may be an option. There are three surgical procedures that may be considered - thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS)plus there are alternative less invasive treatment options for Essential Tremor such as the Gamma Knife thalamotomy and the other is Neuravive.
They involve the thalamus. This is a deep part of the brain that organizes messages travelling between the body and brain.
Thalamic deep brain stimulation- this procedure involves placing an electrode (fine wire) into the thalamus on one or both sides of the brain. The electrode is connected to a device called a stimulator. The electrode and stimulator stay in the body. (The stimulator is placed under the skin at the top of the chest.) The simulator sends electrical impulses down the electrode to the thalamus. It is not known exactly why this device works. It seems to interrupt or block the nerve signals coming through the thalamus that cause the tremor. If you have this procedure, you will need to have regular reviews to make sure that the stimulator setting is correct. This aims to minimize side-effects and maximize benefit. It may produce a good response in up to 9 out of 10 affected people. Again, there is a small risk that the procedure may cause a bleed into the brain. Side effects include loss of sensation, speech problems, and weakness. These usually resolve when the stimulator settings are adjusted.
Gamma Knife
The Gamma Knife procedure Is a non-surgical treatment using highly focused radiation to kill the cells causing the tremor. Overactive cells in this area can cause hand tremors in patients, and the ionizing radiation used during the procedure destroys the affected area without harming the surrounding, healthy tissue. Patients who opt for Gamma Knife generally see results within three to six months after the procedure, and they also experience lower complication rates in comparison to conventional surgery options. Because Gamma Knife destroys the affected cells, the results are not reversible or adjustable.
The result is an immediate and significant reduction of tremor for patients.
Neuravive/Focused Ultrasound
Similar to Gamma Knife’s approach, Neuravive aims to target and destroy the brain cells that are causing the patient to experience a tremor. However, Neuravive uses MR-guided focused ultrasound to treat the cells instead of ionized radiation. This technique has already seen success in treatment for uterine fibroids, prostate cancer, and other conditions. Patients often do not have to wait for results and generally enjoy a decreased tremor immediately following the procedure. Neuravive’s results are also not reversible or adjustable due to brain lesioning.
While patients have experienced positive results from Gamma Knife and Neuravive, results may vary from case to case.
This treatment approach requires no surgery or general anesthesia and results in minimal downtime. The procedure is performed as outpatient and does not require a hospital stay.
Difference in non-invasive procedures
MINIMAL HOSPITALIZATION and short recovery time
SHARP, ACCURATE Lesions as small as 2mm, no penetrating trajectories, no implanted hardware, no ionizing radiation, less risk of infection.
immediate results
Stem Cells & ET?
Stem cells are the body's raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory, stem cells divide to form more cells called daughter cells.
These daughter cells either become new stem cells (self-renewal) or become specialized cells (differentiation) with a more specific function, such as blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle or bone. No other cell in the body has the natural ability to generate new cell types.
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Botulinum toxin injections. There is some evidence that Botox injections are helpful in reducing certain tremors. Unfortunately, a Botox injection into the arm also produces weakness of the arm. This is usually not tolerated. It is mainly useful when essential tremor affects the head and neck.
Alcohol - Many people find that alcohol is helpful in reducing their tremor. It needs to be used with caution to avoid developing an alcohol problem. It is not advisable to drink more than the normal recommended amount of alcohol. That is: men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Pregnant women, and women trying to become pregnant, should not drink alcohol at all. One unit is in about half a pint of normal strength beer, or two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirits.
Research Study
Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke are evaluating the effectiveness of 1-octanol, a substance similar to alcohol but less intoxicating, for treating essential tremor. Results of two previous NIH studies have shown this agent to be promising as a potential new treatment.
Clinical Trials Join Here
Avoid caffeine. Caffeine and other stimulants can increase tremors
Stress and anxiety Stress and anxiety tend to make tremors worse, and being relaxed may improve tremors.
What is the outlook? Essential tremor is a progressive disease. This means that it tends to gets worse over time. There needs to be more research on the cause to find more medicines that work for ET and to find a cure.
Genetics of Essential Tremor Date: March 2022
Learn More Click Here
Prepared by SIC member: Katja Lohmann, PhD.
Authors: Pau Pastor, MD, PhD; Günther Deuschl, MD, PhD; Cornelis Blauwendraat, PhD.
Editor: Lorraine Kalia, MD, PhD.
Prepared by SIC member: Katja Lohmann, PhD.
Authors: Pau Pastor, MD, PhD; Günther Deuschl, MD, PhD; Cornelis Blauwendraat, PhD.
Editor: Lorraine Kalia, MD, PhD.
Differentiation of Parkinson’s disease tremor and essential tremor based on a novel hand posture
Learn More Click Here
Learn More Click Here
What is it like to live with Essential Tremor?
- What would you do if your voice quivered so much that you aren't able to speak or you can barely speak?
- What would you do if your head constantly shakes yes or no?
- What would you do if every time you try to eat and food flies from your fork or spoon, and your drink will splash on you and everyone at the table?
- What would you do if you couldn't prepare your own food?
- What would you do if every night the inside of your body quivers as you try to fall asleep?
- What would you do if you couldn't sign your name, and if you try to fill out a form because your hand tremors like a baby bird's wings flapping, and then no one can read what you write?
- What would you do if your legs tremor and you wobble when you walk?
- What would you do if you couldn't play with your children or help them with school projects because your hand shakes?
- What would you do if you were afraid to hold your newborn baby?
- What would you do if you’re a teenager and because your hands flutter in class you're teased and bullied?
- What would you do if you’re a teenager and your dreams of becoming a carpenter, artist, pianist, doctor, nurse or dentist will never come true because of your tremors?
- What if you aren’t able to apply makeup, put in your contact lens, or shave.
- What would you do if you couldn't put on jewelry? (necklace or earrings)
- What would you do if you are a young child and can’t copy your ABC’s or make crafts like the other kids in your class?
- What would you do if you’re a musician, singer, or artist and your life of playing an instrument, singing or painting abruptly stops?
- What would you do if you were fired from your job because your boss doesn't like to see you tremor, even though you can still do your job?
- What would you do if you couldn't drive a car?
What is it like to live with Essential Tremor
Essential Tremor. National Organization for Rare Disorders website. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/essential-tremor/.
Essential Tremor National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Essential-Tremor-Information-Page.
- Can you imagine waking in the morning and not be able to hold a cup of coffee in your hands without spilling it, or not able to make your breakfast without making a mess. Then trying to dress, buttoning your shirt, shaving, and putting on makeup or jewelry is almost impossible for millions.
- When you’re out in public having people stare as your hands tremor, head shakes yes or no, and scared to death you might have to sign or fill out a form. Eating is another huge problem, slinging food from forks and spoons, as your hand tremors trying to make it to your mouth and spilling your drink unless it’s in a cup with a lid. Many people with movement disorders voice tremors and communication is difficult. People have lost their job when their boss finds out about their tremors.
- Now, how would you like to be a 5 year old in kindergarten and can’t color the page or write your ABC’s like the other kids. How would you like to be a teenager trying to eat, write or grasp things in their tremoring hands while others stare, giggle, bully and tease.
- First and foremost, Essential Tremor can begin at any age, from ages 1 to 100. Essential Tremor doesn't discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin.
Essential Tremor. National Organization for Rare Disorders website. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/essential-tremor/.
Essential Tremor National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Essential-Tremor-Information-Page.
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Does anyone know who this beautiful lady is? She has something in common with over 10 million Americans and million more worldwide.....
Hint: She shared the same tremor disorder 
Yes, it is Katherine Hepburn
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Actress Katharine Hepburn. Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Playwright Eugene O’Neill. U.S. Senator Robert Byrd. All of them suffered from essential tremor, a neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice or legs. Essential tremor, or ET, affects an estimated 10 million Americans.
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