Essential tremor

Essential tremor is characterised by a progressive tremor of the upper extremities, present in posture and action, without other neurological signs or symptoms.

The prevalence and incidence increases with age, but the condition can appear in early adulthood in those who have a family history.

Most people are only mildly affected. Those who seek medical care are disabled to some extent and often socially handicapped by the tremor.

There is no cure, but there are treatments that provide relief and improve quality of life. These include drug therapies and surgical procedures.

Progressive, mainly symmetrical, rhythmic, involuntary oscillation movement disorder of the hands and forearms (69% of patients) that is usually absent at rest and present during posture and intentional movements.

Essential tremor (ET) can also involve the voice (62% of patients), the head (48% of patients), and jaw.[1]Brennan KC, Jurewicz EC, Ford B, et al. Is essential tremor predominantly a kinetic or a postural tremor? A clinical and electrophysiological study. Mov Disord. 2002 Mar;17(2):313-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11921117?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Elble RJ. Essential tremor frequency decreases with time. Neurology. 2000 Nov 28;55(10):1547-51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11094112?tool=bestpractice.com [3]Zeuner KE, Deuschl G. An update on tremors. Curr Opin Neurol. 2012 Aug;25(4):475-82. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22772877?tool=bestpractice.com