Essential tremor (ET) is the most common tremor-associated condition and involves a rhythmic shaking of the arms, hands and/or fingers during movement (handwriting, eating, etc).

The experts at Inova Movement Disorders Program are thoroughly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of essential tremor and can help improve the quality of your life.

Essential tremor has also been known as familial tremor, benign essential tremor or hereditary tremor. It affects an estimated 10 million Americans.  The condition is usually present in multiple family members and classically starts anytime between age 40-90, sometimes earlier.

Essential tremor is the most common form of tremor, up to 8 times more common than the other tremor-associated condition, Parkinson’s disease.

ET exhibits the following characteristics:

• A rhythmic tremor that can be in the hands, arms, or trunk as well as the head and voice. It does not need to include all of these locations for diagnosis.
• The arm and hand tremor is usually not present at rest, but appears with most activities that involve moving the arm and hand (eating/drinking, writing, dressing, etc).
• The head and voice tremor is usually present at rest, and can create a ‘bouncing’ voice.
• Stress, lack of sleep and caffeine can make the tremor worse.
• Can be associated with dystonias (hyperlink), which are over-tightening of the muscles of the neck, arms and/or legs.

What causes essential tremor?

The exact cause of essential tremor is not known, but it is thought to be a disorder of the cerebellum, which is the back part of the brain that deals in control of coordination, precision and accuracy of movement. It is known to be a strongly genetic condition; therefore ET classically runs in families.

How is essential tremor diagnosed?

An accurate diagnosis of essential tremor is key. Currently there are no blood or laboratory tests that are useful in diagnosing essential tremor so it is important to be evaluated and followed by a movement disorders specialist. These specialists have completed extra training specifically in the care of essential tremor.

How is essential tremor treated?

When symptoms reach a point that they become bothersome, a number of medications exist which can reduce the severity of the tremor. If medications fail to improve the symptoms, deep brain stimulation (DBI) is an FDA-approved technology which boasts the following results:

• 80 percent improvement in tremor
• 70 percent improvement in handwriting
• Significant reduction in medications

Get more specifics on treatments for ET 

What do I need to do now?

It is very important to be seen by a qualified and experienced movement disorders specialist as early in the course of your condition as possible. Treatments and medications exist that can improve your quality of life now. Research has repeatedly shown that the earlier a patient sees an ET specialist, the quicker the patient's quality of life improves and the longer the benefit is sustained.

For more information on essential tremor, contact Inova Movement Disorders Program at 703-845-1500.