Treatment for essential tremor (ET) is determined by your physician based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the condition
• Type of condition
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the condition
• Your opinion or preference

We have yet to find a cure for essential tremor. However, based on the severity of the symptoms and medical profile, your doctor will establish an appropriate treatment protocol. Treatment may include the following:

• Medications
• Surgery
• Complementary and supportive therapies, such as diet, exercise, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy

Medication for essential tremor

Once the diagnosis of ET has been made, the next decision is whether a patient should receive medication based on his or her condition. No two patients react the same way to a given drug. It takes time and patience to find an appropriate medication and dosage to alleviate symptoms.

Surgery for essential tremor

Based on the severity of the condition and the medical profile, the doctor may recommend surgery as one treatment option for essential tremor. The main surgery for essential tremor is called deep brain stimulation (DBS). It is aimed at helping the tremor that comes with the disease, though it does not cure the disease or stop the progression of the disease. In most patients, surgery has been shown to decrease the amount of medication that is needed to control the symptoms of ET.

With Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a small electrode is placed in the critical parts of the brain that help to control movement. The electrode is attached to a small battery in the chest wall and is connected by wires that are placed under the skin. The stimulator is then turned on and interrupts the flow of abnormal information that causes the tremor of Essential Tremor. On average DBS achieves:

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