Category: Essential Tremor

Shaking and quaking of the hands is the most common (and obvious) sign of essential tremor (ET). ET is the most prevalent movement disorder. Although it is considered non-life threatening, ET can gradually worsen to the point of delivering a crushing blow to a person’s control of their hands. Another area affected is the voice, keep reading

I have previously written about recent insights that essential tremor (ET) is not a single neurological dysfunction but more likely a group of disorders. In some respects, this is both good news and bad news. The good news is that this theory helps validate that pharmaceuticals may help some individuals but not others. The bad keep reading

We have no way of knowing if human beings have experienced tremors since the dawn of our remote ancestors. I have a hunch that essential tremor (ET) goes well back before recorded history. However, once the ancients were able to set down their observations on papyrus, parchment, or paper, “the shakes” have been documented throughout keep reading

About 7 million Americans have essential tremor (ET) according to estimates. Depending on how long a person has had ET, plus the level of disability caused by tremors, a person with ET is likely to experience some degree of psychological suffering. Other factors enter in: personality, support from family and friends, economics, etc. have a keep reading

“Variety is the spice of life.” How often in your life did you hear those words? They first appeared in a 1785 poem by William Cowper, a popular 18th century poet who also wrote words to many hymns. He was also an ardent supporter of the anti-slavery movement of his time. It’s true that the keep reading

Essential tremor (ET), the most common movement disorder, has been recognized for thousands of years. Evidence – not always clear regarding situational or chronic tremors – is found in ancient writings from India to Egypt to the Biblical lands.i So it’s safe to say that ET has its place in history. As we know, ET keep reading

We encounter it a lot. A person with essential tremor (ET) comes in for a consultation. He/she has been on primidone and/or propranolol for years. The side effects (fogginess, fatigue, etc.) have become unacceptable. Simple tasks are virtually impossible. In short, life sucks. This person now wants a permanent, non-drug solution. They’ve already consulted a keep reading

Neurologists have a problem in diagnosing essential tremor (ET), which is the most common movement disorder. The problem is not what ET is, but rather what it is not. In order to diagnose a shaking hand as ET, other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or a side effect of medication must be ruled out. What keep reading

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. While ET can occur in the absence of a family history of tremors, anywhere from 17% to upwards of 50% of cases appear to run in families. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), first degree relatives (parent, sibling, child) of some with ET keep reading