Symptoms
Essential tremor often begins gradually. Sometimes it appears
during adolescence. More often, though, tremors begin in mid- to
late life.
The most common sign is a trembling, up-and-down movement
of your hands, although your arms, legs, head and even your
tongue and voice box (larynx) also may be affected. Most people
have tremors in both hands. Some people have tremors in only
one hand, though the tremors often progress to include both
hands.
Tremors usually occur only when you engage in a voluntary
movement, such as drinking a glass of water, writing or
threading a needle. Actions requiring fine-motor skills — using
utensils or small tools, for example — may be especially difficult.
Fatigue, anxiety and temperature extremes make the signs
worse, but tremors usually disappear when you're asleep or at
rest.
Some people have relatively mild tremors throughout their lives,
while others develop more severe tremors and increased
disability over time. Effects of worsening tremors may include:
Difficulty holding a cup or glass without spilling
Difficulty eating normally
Difficulty putting on makeup or shaving
Difficulty talking, if your voice box or tongue is affected
Difficulty writing — handwriting may become increasingly large,
shaky and illegible
The inability to perform actions requiring fine-motor skills, such
as playing an instrument or drawing
Essential tremor vs. Parkinson's disease
Many people associate tremors with Parkinson's disease, a
serious movement disorder. But essential tremor and
Parkinson's disease aren't related, and the two conditions differ
in key ways:
When tremors occur. Essential tremor of the hands typically
occurs when your hands are in use. Tremors from Parkinson's
are most prominent when your hands are at your sides or
resting in your lap. This type of tremor usually decreases with
movement of the hands.
Associated conditions. Essential tremor doesn't cause other
health problems, whereas Parkinson's is associated with a
stooped posture, slow movement, a shuffling gait, speech
problems other than tremor and sometimes memory loss.
Parts of body affected. Essential tremor can involve your hands,
legs, head and voice. Tremors from Parkinson's typically affect
your hands, but not your head or voice.
Essential tremor often begins gradually. Sometimes it appears
during adolescence. More often, though, tremors begin in mid- to
late life.
The most common sign is a trembling, up-and-down movement
of your hands, although your arms, legs, head and even your
tongue and voice box (larynx) also may be affected. Most people
have tremors in both hands. Some people have tremors in only
one hand, though the tremors often progress to include both
hands.
Tremors usually occur only when you engage in a voluntary
movement, such as drinking a glass of water, writing or
threading a needle. Actions requiring fine-motor skills — using
utensils or small tools, for example — may be especially difficult.
Fatigue, anxiety and temperature extremes make the signs
worse, but tremors usually disappear when you're asleep or at
rest.
Some people have relatively mild tremors throughout their lives,
while others develop more severe tremors and increased
disability over time. Effects of worsening tremors may include:
Difficulty holding a cup or glass without spilling
Difficulty eating normally
Difficulty putting on makeup or shaving
Difficulty talking, if your voice box or tongue is affected
Difficulty writing — handwriting may become increasingly large,
shaky and illegible
The inability to perform actions requiring fine-motor skills, such
as playing an instrument or drawing
Essential tremor vs. Parkinson's disease
Many people associate tremors with Parkinson's disease, a
serious movement disorder. But essential tremor and
Parkinson's disease aren't related, and the two conditions differ
in key ways:
When tremors occur. Essential tremor of the hands typically
occurs when your hands are in use. Tremors from Parkinson's
are most prominent when your hands are at your sides or
resting in your lap. This type of tremor usually decreases with
movement of the hands.
Associated conditions. Essential tremor doesn't cause other
health problems, whereas Parkinson's is associated with a
stooped posture, slow movement, a shuffling gait, speech
problems other than tremor and sometimes memory loss.
Parts of body affected. Essential tremor can involve your hands,
legs, head and voice. Tremors from Parkinson's typically affect
your hands, but not your head or voice.
Essential tremor
