Essential Tremor

While lifestyle modifications won’t cure essential tremor, there are steps you can take to make daily life easier and reduce the impact of ET. Many people find that using tools like weighted utensils or pens designed to lessen shaking can help. There are also devices that can stimulate the nerves in your arms or legs to reduce tremors.

Here are some simple lifestyle tips to consider:

• Cut back on caffeine: Caffeine can make tremors worse, so reducing or eliminating it from your diet may help ease the shaking.
• Use cups with straws and lids: These can help prevent spills, making it easier to drink without worrying about your hands shaking.
• Keep your arms close to your body: When using your hands, try to keep your arms close to your body to help reduce tremors.
• Use voice recordings: Instead of writing, use voice memos or recordings to take notes or make lists.
• Manage stress: Stress can make tremors worse, so practicing relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing or mindfulness can help you feel calmer and reduce the effects of tremors.

These changes can make a big difference in managing essential tremor and improving your day-to-day life.

Several types of rehabilitation therapy can help make living with essential tremor easier by teaching you strategies and exercises to manage tremors in your everyday life. Here’s how different therapies can help:

• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists can teach you helpful techniques and introduce tools that make daily tasks, like eating, dressing or writing, more manageable. They’ll show you ways to work around tremors, so they don’t get in the way of your independence and daily activities.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapists help improve your strength, balance and coordination. They’ll guide you through exercises that help stabilize your body and make movement easier, which can reduce the impact of tremors. Stronger muscles and better balance can help you feel more stable and confident in your movements.
• Speech therapy: If tremors affect your voice or speech, speech therapists can work with you to improve clarity and control. They’ll teach you techniques to reduce voice tremors, speak more clearly and project your voice better, making communication easier and less frustrating.

These therapies can help you manage essential tremor and improve your daily life, giving you more confidence and independence in everything you do.

Treatment for essential tremor typically starts with oral medications. While some people find relief with these medications, others may not experience significant improvement. Over time, your doctor may adjust the dosage as your tremors change.

Here are some types of medications that can help manage essential tremor:

• Beta-blockers: These medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and anxiety, and they can also help reduce tremors.
• Anti-seizure medications: Certain anti-seizure medications can help reduce tremors, especially for people who don’t respond well to beta-blockers. These medications may include options like primidone, as well as others that can help manage tremors.
• Benzodiazepines: These medications are often used to treat anxiety and muscle tension. They can also help reduce tremors for some people by relaxing the muscles.
• Botulinum toxin injections: These injections temporarily relax the muscles causing tremors. They are commonly used to treat tremors in the head and voice but can also be effective for hand tremors in some cases.

Your doctor will work with you to find the most effective treatment plan for your specific symptoms and may adjust your medications over time based on how you respond.

If treatments like medications or lifestyle changes aren't helping to control your tremors, your doctor may talk to you about surgery as an option. Surgery is usually considered when other treatments haven't worked well enough.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): In this procedure, a surgeon places a small device in your brain that sends electrical pulses to the area responsible for the tremors. These pulses help block the nerve signals that cause the shaking. The device can be adjusted by your doctor to find the best settings for controlling your tremors. DBS is a well-established treatment that can help many people who don’t get enough relief from medications.
• Focused ultrasound: Focused ultrasound uses sound waves to target and treat the area of your brain causing the tremors. The sound waves are focused on a small part of your brain, where they heat up and break down the tissue, which can help reduce or stop the tremors. This treatment is a less invasive option compared to DBS.

Your doctor will explain the benefits and potential risks of each option so you can make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you.