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Essential Tremor Syndrome

Jennifer Svarverud, D.O. Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Essential tremor is a postural (occurring with voluntary maintenance of a position against gravity) or kinetic (occurring during voluntary movement) flexion–extension tremor that is ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Core criteria for diagnosis

    • Bilateral action postural or kinetic tremor (occurs with voluntary muscle contraction) of the hands and forearms

    • Absence of other neurologic signs with the e...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

Pharmacologic treatment should be considered when tremor interferes with activities of daily living (ADLs) or causes psychological distress. 

First Line

  • Propranolol 60 to 320 mg/day ...

ONGOING CARE

DIET

Avoid caffeine. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

Although essential tremor can cause significant impairment in daily functioning, it does not decrease life expectancy. 

PROGNOSIS

Tremor tends to worsen...

REFERENCES

1
Zesiewicz  TA, Elble  RJ, Louis  ED, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: treatment of essential tremor: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the Amer...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Buijink  AW, Contarino  MF, Koelman  JH, et al. How to tackle tremor—systematic review of the literature and diagnostic work-up. Front Neurol.  2012;...

CODES

ICD10

G25.0 Essential tremor 

SNOMED

  • 609558009 Essential tremor (disorder)

  • 609559001 Hereditary essential tremor (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Core criteria for diagnosis of essential tremor include bilateral action or postural tremor of the hands, forearm, and/or head without a resting component present for at least three ye...

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