Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a condition that causes involuntary shaking, most often affecting the hands. It can also involve the head or voice.

The tremor is usually more noticeable during movement or when holding a position, and it can make everyday tasks like writing, eating, or holding objects more difficult.

Tremor can show up in different ways, including:

• Shaking during movement (action tremor) 
• Tremor when holding objects or maintaining posture 
• Shaking of the head (often described as “yes-yes” or “no-no”) 
• Voice tremor 

Symptoms often worsen with stress, fatigue, or certain activities.

Accurate evaluation is important, as essential tremor can sometimes be confused with Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders.

Treatment depends on how much the tremor is affecting daily activities.

Common treatment options include:

• Medications such as propranolol or primidone 
• Other medications, like topiramate or gabapentin, when needed 

For more advanced cases:

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) evaluation and programming

Treatment plans are adjusted over time based on symptom severity and response.

You may want to consider an evaluation if:

• Tremor is interfering with writing, eating, or work 
• Symptoms are getting worse over time 
• There is uncertainty between essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease 
• Medications are no longer helping 

Early evaluation can help guide the right treatment approach.