How do you get tremors

The cause is not known, but it is often passed down from a parent to a child. Essential tremor is sometimes confused with other types of tremor, so getting the right diagnosis is important. Tremors tend to be worse during movement than when at rest. The tremors can be disabling and can slowly worsen over time. Some things might make tremors worse, and avoiding them may be helpful. Medicines can also help control or limit tremors in some people. Severe tremors can sometimes be treated with surgery.

Essential tremor ET is a neurological disorder that causes your hands, head, trunk, voice or legs to shake rhythmically. It is often confused with Parkinson's disease.

Essential tremor is the most common trembling disorder. Everyone has at least a small degree of tremor, but the movements usually cannot be seen or felt because the tremor is so small. When tremors are noticeable, the condition is classified as essential tremor. Essential tremor is most common among people older than 65, but it can affect people at any age. Some experts have proposed considering ET that starts earlier in life as essential tremor and ET that begins later in life as age-related tremor, because the conditions may have different symptoms and may respond differently to treatments.

The cause of essential tremor is unknown. However, one theory suggests that your cerebellum and other parts of your brain are not communicating correctly. The cerebellum controls muscle coordination. In most people, the condition seems to be passed down from a parent to a child.

Sometimes, ancillary testing such as brain imaging or genetic testing may help with the diagnosis. If you have essential tremor, you will have shaking and trembling at different times and in different situations, but some characteristics are common to all.

Here is what you might typically experience:. The appearance of your tremor, in the setting of a comprehensive neurological examination by an experienced clinician, can result in diagnosis of essential tremor. Your doctor will probably need to rule out other conditions that could cause shaking or trembling.

For example, tremors could be symptoms of diseases such as hyperthyroidism. Your health care provider might test you for those as well. The NTF also offers support and information on tremor if it's affecting your life. Page last reviewed: 30 November Next review due: 30 November Tremor or shaking hands.

When a tremor is normal It's normal to have a slight tremor. Sometimes a tremor becomes more noticeable. This often happens: as you get older when you're stressed, tired, anxious or angry after drinking caffeine for example, in tea, coffee or cola or smoking if you're very hot or cold Some medicines and conditions can also cause a tremor. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. Information: The NTF also offers support and information on tremor if it's affecting your life.

Tarsy D. Surgical treatment of essential tremor. Overview of tremor. National Library of Medicine. What is essential tremor? Genetics Home Reference. Pharmacologic treatment of essential tremor. Essential tremor ET patient handbook.

Essential tremor ET coping tips for everyday living. Essential tremor adult. Rochester, Minn. Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Essential tremor ET surgical options. Accessed Dec. Schaink A, et al. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound neurosurgery for essential tremor: A health technology assessment.