Version July 2025
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What is essential tremor? —
Tremor means trembling or shaking. A person with tremor has a body part that shakes, and they cannot control the shaking. "Essential" tremor is 1 type of tremor. It most often affects the hands, but can also affect other body parts. It is more common in older people, but can happen at any age.
It is not clear what causes essential tremor, but it is not related to a disease or health problem. It sometimes runs in families. When this happens, it is sometimes called "familial tremor."
What are the symptoms of essential tremor? —
People who have essential tremor usually shake when they move their arms and hands with a goal in mind. For instance, their hands might shake when they put their glasses on or take them off, hold a teacup by the handle, or try to put a key into a lock. The shaking usually affects both hands, but it might be worse on 1 hand.
Essential tremor sometimes affects the head. This makes it look like the person is nodding their head "yes-yes" or shaking their head "no-no." For some people, the tremor also affects their voice. This can make their voice tremble or sound shaky.
Some people find that certain things make their tremor worse. These might include anxiety, stress, or new medicines.
Essential tremor typically gets worse over time.
Will I need tests? —
Maybe. Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have essential tremor by doing an exam, watching you move, and asking you questions. They might also do blood tests to check for things that can cause other types of tremor. They might also recommend a brain scan.
How is essential tremor treated? — Treatment depends on how severe the tremor is and how much it bothers you. Even though essential tremor is not related to a disease or health problem, it can still cause stress and anxiety and get in the way of your daily life.
Treatment options include:
●Avoiding things that make your tremor worse – If your doctor thinks that 1 of your medicines might be making your tremor worse, they might suggest stopping or switching that medicine. It might help to avoid caffeine.
●Medicine – Some people take medicine every day to control their tremor. Others take medicine only in certain situations. For example, if your tremor gets worse when you attend a big social event or speak in public, you might take medicine only at these times.
If the above treatments do not help, your doctor might recommend:
●Adaptive devices – Different devices are available. These might help control tremor or make it easier to do things like use a spoon or fork.
●Botulinum toxin (also called "BoTox") – This is given as a shot in the area that has the tremor. It can sometimes help, but can also cause muscle weakness.
●Surgery – For example, in some cases, a device can be implanted in the brain that can help control tremor. There are also other options that do not involve a device.
Some people find that small amounts of alcohol (for example, half a glass of wine) can help control tremor for a short time. This might be an option for occasional social situations. But do not use alcohol regularly for this reason. Often, the tremor gets worse after the alcohol wears off. Drinking a lot of alcohol can also lead to other health problems.
