Essential Tremor, or ET for short, is a progressive movement disorder.

ET causes shaking of the hands, head, and/or voice.

ET can many ordinary tasks difficult, such as drinking coffee, taking photos with your mobile device, and buttoning a shirt.

ET can interfere with a golfer's efforts to steady a range finder, putt, and place a ball on the tee.

About 10 million people in the United States have ET, including ≈ 1 in 5 of those age 65 and older.

Although the average age of onset for essential tremor is 40, ET may first appear at any age between childhood and old age.

According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Global Health, it is estimated that 0.04% of people under the age of 20 have ET (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33880180/).AAa 

ET is thought to be genetic, but people without any family history of tremor can develop ET.

A key feature of essential tremor is a tremor in both hands and arms, which is present during action and when standing still.

Tremor frequency (how “fast” the tremor shakes) may decrease as the person ages, but the severity may increase.

Having patients draw an Archimedes spiral helps physicians diagnose ET and determine its severity.

Triggers and circumstances that increase severity of tremors include heightened emotion, stress, fever, physical exhaustion, and low blood sugar.

Although not recommended as a treatment method, small amounts of alcohol have been known to decrease essential tremor, but the mechanism behind this is unknown.

Current treatment options include medications (beta blocking drugs, anti-seizure medications, tranquilizers), focused ultrasound, surgery (deep brain stimulation, thalamotomy), and lifestyle changes (therapy, elimination of triggers).

Some evidence suggests that people diagnosed with ET after the age of 65 are more likely to develop other neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases.

More research is needed in all areas surrounding ET, especially to identify more effective and better tolerated medications and alternative treatments for tremor.