Essential tremor is a disorder that causes uncontrollable tremors or “shaking” in the body and often it affects people who are above 40 years. It is believed to be caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain and it produces rhythmic shaking of fingers or any part of your body. Trembling of hands can cause difficulty in tying the shoelaces or drinking a glass of water etc for the affected person. It may affect your hands, legs, head and voice box and other parts also. If left untreated, essential tremor may get worse making daily routine miserable for affected people. Medications and therapy are available for managing the symptoms of essential tremor.
Symptoms :
Signs of this neurological disorder differ on the part of the body that has been affected. Often the nerves of hands or arms are affected and for some people head can also get affected. The symptoms of essential tremor will not appear suddenly but is a slow process. Shaking of fingers may get worse gradually and when the person tries to use his fingers tremor may increase. Shaking or trembling of fingers occurs in one hand initially and slowly it progresses to both the hands.
Some people may have tremor in their head which may cause uncontrollable movement of their head either vertically or horizontally. Any type of tremor may worsen due to fatigue or emotional stress. Increased alcohol intake and extreme heat or cold climate may increase the symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease .Vs. Essential Tremor :
Parkinson’s disease is closely related with essential tremor in the aspect of many symptoms. But there exist some difference between the two disorders. Trembling of hands due to Parkinson’s disease occurs while the individual is resting his hands on his lap whereas essential tremor occurs while doing some work with hands. Parkinson’s disease can cause other health issues but tremor will not cause any other problem. And tremor neurological disorder involves only certain parts of the body like hands and head but Parkinson’s disorder may affect all parts of your body.