What is Essential Tremor (ET)?
Tremor is a normal phenomenon which is experienced by everyone. Normal tremor is referred to as "physiological tremor" and it is the slight tremor that any person will see when they, for instance, put out their hands. This tremor can be exaggerated in certain situations such as those associated with anxiety and fatigue. This is usually referred to as "exaggerated or enhanced physiological tremor".
In general, many NTF members have pathological tremors. That is, their tremor or tremors are inappropriate in size and may interfere with normal functioning or present as a "cosmetic nuisance".
Tremor can be a common symptom of neurological disease and may be due to trauma, tumor, stroke or degenerative disease. The most common tremor condition is idiopathic or essential (cause unknown) or hereditary tremor. In fact, essential tremor is one the most common of all neurological conditions. It is estimated that four to five million people in the United States alone have such tremor. In most cases the disease runs in families. The condition is transmitted as an autosomal dominant inheritance, which means that the offspring of an affected individual will have a fifty percent chance of also having the illness.
Essential tremor is a neurological disorder in which patients exhibit a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, legs, trunk and/or voice, which is more visible during movement or with arms outstretched, than at rest. It is recognisable when seen in postural (voluntarily maintaining a position against gravity) and kinetic (performing any kind of movement) positions. Thus, essential tremor is considered an "action" tremor. It is not believed to be associated with any disease or condition.
It can affect people of any age, gender (both genders are equally affected) and race. It can start in adolescence or adulthood and in the majority of cases, it is inherited. The mean age at onset is 45 years. While more commonly seen in older individuals, ET can begin as early as birth.
The age of onset, body part(s) affected and the severity of the tremors, typically differ from person to person, even within the same family. This difference from person to person holds true for benefits received from drug therapy as well. When tremor begins in the very elderly it has sometimes been called senile tremor. The condition is slowly progressive and tremors will worsen overtime. Some people may have to change occupations (i.e. dentists and draftsman) or have to take early retirement.
Tremor may involve different body parts. Most often the hands are affected. Usually the dominant hand is first affected and eventually both hands may be involved. Handwriting becomes less legible and it may no longer be possible to sign cheques. Drinking liquids is also difficult to manage and it may be necessary to use both hands, or a straw.
Tremor of the head may also occur with the shakiness being a 'yes-yes" or a "no-no" movement. This can lead to embarrassment and possibly social withdrawal. Shakiness of the voice may also occur giving a quavering intonation when speaking. Tremor can also affect the trunk and legs.
Tremor is the sole symptom of this disorder and other neurological problems rarely occur. Stress and social interaction usually worsen the tremor. Small amounts of alcohol may be helpful. Unfortunately physicians who may misdiagnose it as anxiety or Parkinson's disease do not often recognise the tremor. There is also the misconception that nothing medically can be done to relieve the tremor.
Little is known about what causes this tremor, hence the eponym essential or idiopathic, which means that the cause is unknown, as with essential hypertension.
Essential tremor is certainly a disorder of the central nervous system. However, it is not known what area of the brain is involved. It is also unclear why the disease occurs and how it affects the brain. A better understanding of these mechanisms would lead to better treatment and/or preventive therapy.
Essential tremor is not accompanied by any other symptoms.
Tonia - NTF Administrator
Wednesday 25th November 2009 12:28
Thank you for your positive comments Babette, which I'm sure will help others thinking about taking a step to get help. It would be interesting to others looking at the site to hear how you get on.
Kelly Hill
Thursday 10th December 2009 20:52
Hi there, I am 32 and recently noticed while on the computer and my head is in flexion I feel a rocking sensation and have asked other people if they notice a my head moving and it does, I have a yes-yes tremor, it feels worse then it looks, sometimes its barely noticable as well stress can make it worse or sometimes its just wose on its own. Just wondering if this sounds typical of essential tremor. I have tried drinking a glass of wine and I honestly can't say it changed much if at all, see the thing is overall its very slight just that rocking motion and sometimes I even catch myself voluntarily rocking like moving to the motion of my head almost. I am awaiting a neurology appointment but in the meantime just worried it could be something serious. My head is slightly tilted to one side and overall dont' have much pain in my neck only on the odd occasion. Can anyone relate to this rocking sensation with the head tremor.
Tonia - NTF Administrator
Monday 21st December 2009 12:42
Hi Kelly! A lot of people have slight head tremor with essential tremor. Many people just have head tremor. Please mention this at your neurology appointment.
serhat ozdemir
Thursday 28th January 2010 16:00
Hi; i have this unstoppable shakings since i was 22 and i am 26 now...when i was seen by doctors first ,was in Turkey then, they thought i might have hyperthyroidism but actually i hadnt...after few years when i came to UK ,doctor asked me to take a blood test with diagnosis of hyperthyroidism ,results were ok ...then i was sent to a neurologist and was told i have bening essential tremor that i have to live with all my life..
i really hate it when my hands or arms start shaking while eating with a group of people or sometimes my neck does..i wish i could get rid of it but i am aware of that it is not completely possible...
i have to tell people that i actually have this tremor before they realise otherwise i really hate answering the question" why are you shakin?" Sometimes i am asked if i use drugs or drink too much alcohol...
Latest i went to my GP again today and wanted to be checked if i have parkinson...cause i did not really get any satisfied answer or explanation of disease anywhere...until i find this website...and there is actually a tremor foundation...
Thank you guys and all supporters
Tonia - NTF Administrator
Monday 15th March 2010 14:06
Thank you Serhat for your comments. Telling people you have tremor before they notice really does take away some of the anxiety and worry often associated with essential tremor. You are also helping others by spreading awareness of this condition.
Robert Wearn
Thursday 17th June 2010 01:09
I recently "came out" at work - I swear they thought I was a drunk or junkie! But boy, once I'd told them, and pointed them to this website, things changed big time - you'll always get the idiot who doesn't accept or understand (my line manager being the best example!), but the important people, my colleagues, have been amazingly supportive.
As a Trade Union official, I'd be interested to help anyone experiencing problems at work because of ET.
Jennifer Blackburn
Friday 2nd July 2010 19:36
I will be 70 in October. I had noticed that my hands would shake especially when carrying a mug of tea or showing someone a piece of paper for the last two years. It started in my left hand and now my right hand does it also. Apparently friends and family had noticed this but never said anything! When my daughter told my grandchildren that it was because I was getting older I decided I really had to see my GP! She called it benign essential tremor and no treatment at this time. I am sort of embarrassed but now it has a name - I think it'll help!
Michael Newwton
Saturday 3rd July 2010 20:13
I had noticed over a couple years shaking in my left hand especially when holding a cup but thought nothing of it, it gradually got worse and kept putting it off to go to my GP. Then my right hand started shaking and i couldnt even write or hold a cup properly, my left hand was the worse though i could hold a cup of tea and the shaking was that bad i would lose all the tea in the cup.Also i noticed when i sat down with my legs together they would start shaking too. So i decided to go to my GP and he immediatley said it was Essential Tremor and he prescribed Propranalol 20mg a day which within 2 weeks i noticed a considerable difference with virtually no shaking. But after 6 months i had a slight tremor back again and he said take another tablet so now its 30 mg a day and now a slight tremor, So its not getting any better just controlled but getting worse although its just in both hands and legs.My writing is now ok but i cant do anything which needs delicate hand coordination as i start to shake.I am now waiting to see my GP to see if he increases the dosage.
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I have lived with this uncontrollable shaking ever since i can remember, reading about it is like reading about me, im now 40 years old and a student nurse, I now find this is affecting my life to an unnacceptable extent and in about an hour I am going to my doctors to start the ball rolling regarding diagnosis and treatment, my sister also suffers from this shaking and is doing the same thing through occupational health, im grateful this site is here as I now realise im not just some odd person whose voice goes funny and shakes a lot, Thank you,