essential tremor (redirected from Benign essential tremor syndrome)

tremor /trem·or/ (trem´er) an involuntary trembling or quivering.

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action tremor  rhythmic, oscillatory, involuntary movements of the outstretched upper limb; it may also affect the voice and other parts.

coarse tremor  one in which the vibrations are slow.

essential tremor  a hereditary tremor with onset usually at about 50 years of age, beginning with a fine rapid tremor of the hands, followed by tremor of the head, tongue, limbs, and trunk.

fine tremor  one in which the vibrations are rapid.

flapping tremor  asterixis.

intention tremor  action t.

parkinsonian tremor  the resting tremor seen with parkinsonism, consisting of slow regular movements of the hands and sometimes the legs, neck, face, or jaw; it typically stops upon voluntary movement of the part and is intensified by stimuli such as cold, fatigue, and strong emotions.

physiologic tremor  a rapid tremor of extremely low amplitude found in the legs and sometimes the neck or face of normal individuals; it may become accentuated and visible under certain conditions.

pill-rolling tremor  a parkinsonian tremor of the hand consisting of flexion and extension of the fingers in connection with adduction and abduction of the thumb.

resting tremor  tremor occurring in a relaxed and supported limb or other bodily part; it is sometimes abnormal, as in parkinsonism.

senile tremor  that due to the infirmities of old age.

volitional tremor  action t.

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Essential tremor

An uncontrollable (involuntary) shaking of the hands, head, and face. Also called familial tremor because it is sometimes inherited, it can begin in the teens or in middle age. The exact cause is not known.

Mentioned in: Movement Disorders, Tremors

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essential tremor,

an involuntary fine shaking of the hand, the head, and the face, especially during routine body movements. It is a familial disorder inherited as an autosomal-dominant trait and appears during adolescence or in middle age, slowly progressing as a more pronounced disorder. The precise cause of this condition is not known. Essential tremor is aggravated by activity and emotion and can be reduced in some patients by the administration of mild sedatives, such as propranolol and diazepam, or with alcohol consumption. Also called benign essential tremor, familial tremor. Compare parkinsonism.

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essential tremor

Neurology A benign idiopathic disorder characterized by rhythmic, moderately rapid tremor of voluntary muscles–hands, arms, head, larynx, eyelids, voice, evoked by activity and exacerbated by purposeful movement; if ET occurs in more than one member of a family, it is termed a familial tremor; emotional stress may ↑ tremors. See Tremor.

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Patient discussion about Benign essential tremor syndrome.

Q. Should I go for the knife? I have essential tremor for many years, and in the last few years it seems nothing helps it, and although I tried all the drugs my doctor could offer me, nothing helps. It really ruins my life, and recently I read about a surgery that suppose to treat it, called thalamotomy- does anyone know anything about it?

A. It's a possibility, and considered effective (reducing tremor in most of the patients). However, it has quite serious side effects, that can result even in weakness of some parts of your body. You should think really good before you opt for this treatment. Good luck!

Q. Hand tremors, 22 yrs. Meds have not worked. Is brain surgery the only option left? After taking medication I get about 2 1/2 hours of reduced tremors. After that I can't write my name. Eating is becoming a greater problem and there are times I need help even getting dressed. Frustration has caused me to get counseling. I've been on every medication authorized for the treatment of essential tremors. Increased dosages reduced the effect of the medicine.

A. Have you tried combination treatment with two drugs? It's considered more effective than treatment with one drug only.

Surgery is indeed a treatment option for severe, disabling tremor. However, all I can give you is a general advice - there's really no substitution for consulting a professional (e.g. a neurologist).

Take care,