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Essential tremor

Other Names for this Disease
  • Benign essential tremor
  • Familial essential tremor
  • Hereditary essential tremor
  • Presenile tremor syndrome
  • Tremor, hereditary essential, 1
More Names
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Overview


Essential tremor is a disorder of the nervous system that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking (tremor), especially in the hands. It involves tremor without any other signs or symptoms, and is distinguished from tremor that results from other disorders or known causes, such as tremors seen with Parkinson disease or head trauma.[1] Essential tremor (sometimes called benign essential tremor) is the most common of the more than 20 types of tremor.[2] Essential tremor is a complex disorder. Several genes are believed to help determine an individual's risk of developing this condition. Environmental factors may also be involved.[1] In mild cases, treatment may not be necessary. In cases where symptoms interfere with daily living, medications may help to relieve symptoms.[3] 

 



References

  1. Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference (GHR). http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=essentialtremor. Accessed May 5, 2013.
  2. NINDS Essential Tremor Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed May 5, 2013.
  3. Essential tremor. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000762.htm. Accessed May 5, 2013.
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General Information

  • The American Academy of Family Physicians provides information about essential tremor. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Essential tremor. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • MayoClinic.com provides information about essential tremor. Click on the link to view this information.
  • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Essential tremor. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Essential tremor. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.