An essential tremor is a condition that causes uncontrollable shaking, usually in the hands, but it can also affect the head, voice, or other parts of the body. The shaking often gets worse when you try to use the affected body part, like when holding a cup or writing.
It’s not dangerous, but it can make everyday tasks harder. Essential tremor is different from tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease and is more common as people age. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, it’s sometimes passed down in families.
Other types of tremors include:
- Physiologic tremor
- Dystonic tremor
- Cerebellar tremor
- Parkinson’s tremor
- Orthostatic tremor
- Psychogenic tremor
There are treatments available to help manage the symptoms if they interfere with your daily life.
