What is essential tremor?

Essential tremor is a nervous system condition that causes uncontrollable shaking. Your hands may be affected first.

It's not usually dangerous but can get worse over time. It can become severe in some people.

What symptoms are related to essential tremor?

The most common symptom is shaking of one or both of your hands when they're being used. This is different to the shaking of the hands in people with Parkinson's disease. With Parkinson's disease, your hands also often shake at rest.

Your head and voice may also be affected by essential tremor.

Having an essential tremor can affect you in different ways. You may find your symptoms are embarrassing or upsetting.

Your symptoms may cause trouble with things like:

• holding and drinking a cup of coffee
• writing clearly
• putting on make-up or shaving
• how well you can balance

Essential tremor can get worse if you are stressed or tired.

What causes essential tremor?

You have a 1 in 2 chance of inheriting essential tremor if one of your parents has it.

Abnormal brain activity may be part of the cause of essential tremor.

In other people it isn't known what causes essential tremor.

Essential tremor is more common in older people but can happen at any age.

Essential tremor doesn't cause any other conditions.

How is essential tremor diagnosed?

Your doctor will usually ask about your symptoms, medical history and family history. Your doctor may also examine you.

There are no special tests for essential tremor, but your doctor may organise for you to have blood tests.

Your doctor will want to check that your tremor is not caused by another condition.

When should I see my doctor?

Talk to your doctor, if your hands shake. They can help you to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

If the shaking makes it difficult to complete simple tasks explain that to your doctor.

How is essential tremor treated?

If your symptoms aren't bothering you too much, you might not need treatment.

Treatment options might involve lifestyle changes, medicines or surgery.

Self-care at home

You might find there are things that make your tremor worse. These may be:

• stress
• caffeine
• alcohol

some medicines, such as

• asthma medicines
• stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• lithium
• antidepressants

Avoiding these triggers may help reduce your shaking.

Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before stopping or changing your medicines.

Medicines for essential tremor

If it's difficult for you to work or do normal daily activities, your doctor might prescribe medicine such as:

• propranolol — a betablocker
• primidone — an anti-seizure medicine

Other treatment options

Physiotherapy or occupational therapy might help you manage your tremor.

If you still have severe shaking after trying other treatments your doctor may suggest surgery.

Surgery to treat essential tremor can involve 'deep brain stimulation'. However, surgery is rarely needed.

Resources and support

To learn more about essential tremor visit the Brain Foundation website.

You can read more about other types of movement disorders here.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.