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$Title{What Is Essential Tremor?}
$Subject{essential tremor treatment Nervous System Musculoskeletal Tremors
shaking shake shakes hands hand arm arms head neurological Parkinson's
Parkinson nerves nerve dysfunction trembling propranolol Inderal
anticonvulsant primidone Mysoline tranquilizer clonazepam Clonopin}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Is Essential Tremor?


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QUESTION:  What is essential tremor?  What help is available for it?

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ANSWER:  Essential tremor is shaking for which no cause can be found.  It can
come on at any age, but usually occurs in older people and frequently runs in
families.  The only symptom of essential tremor is the tremor itself, a gentle
shaking of the hands, arms, or head.  Your physician will probably give you a
complete neurological screening to rule out Parkinson's disease or other nerve
dysfunction.
     Unlike Parkinson's disease, where trembling gets worse when you relax,
essential tremor is worse when you are holding muscles steady.  This makes
certain activities, such as writing or eating, difficult.
     The usual treatment for essential tremor is a drug called propranolol
(Inderal), that is normally used in treating high blood pressure.  An
anticonvulsant drug called primidone (Mysoline) or a tranquilizer called
clonazepam (Clonopin) can also be effective against essential tremor.  Some
people who have essential tremor may have only a mild form that is not bad
enough to need medication.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.