Overview
Across Africa’s bustling hospitals, neurologists are quietly seeing more cases of a condition that subtly reshapes daily life essential tremor. While it is not life-threatening, its impact can be deeply personal. In cities like Nairobi and Lagos, where skilled motor tasks are part of daily work, even a small, involuntary shake of the hands can interfere with writing, eating, or performing surgery. Essential tremor affects millions globally and is one of the most common movement disorders seen in clinical practice.
What is essential tremor?
Essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking. It most often affects the hands, but it can also impact the head, voice, and other parts of the body. Unlike the muscle twitches we may feel after a long day, these tremors persist and can worsen over time. While the condition itself is not fatal, it can significantly interfere with day-to-day activities.
What is the difference between essential tremor vs. Parkinson’s disease?
Essential tremor is often confused with Parkinson’s disease, but the two are distinct. Essential tremor usually occurs during movement, such as when holding a glass or writing, while Parkinson’s tremors often appear when the muscles are at rest. Parkinson’s is also associated with other symptoms like muscle stiffness, slow movement, and balance problems, which are not typical in essential tremor.
Who does essential tremor affect?
It can affect anyone, but it is more common in people over the age of 40. Family history plays a significant role if a parent has essential tremor, there’s about a 50% chance of passing it on. Still, younger individuals, including those in their twenties or thirties, can develop it.
How common is essential tremor?
Globally, essential tremor is more common than Parkinson’s disease. While African-specific prevalence studies are limited, neurologists in countries like South Africa and Kenya report steady numbers in outpatient clinics, suggesting it may be underdiagnosed.
How does essential tremor affect my body?
Essential tremor primarily impacts motor control, causing shaking during voluntary movements like eating, writing, or speaking. Over time, this can strain the muscles, limit fine motor skills, and create emotional distress due to self-consciousness in social or professional situations.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of essential tremor?
The main symptom is rhythmic shaking, usually in the hands, but it can affect the head, voice, arms, or legs. Tremors may be mild at first but often worsen over years, sometimes spreading to other areas.
Tremor terms
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Action tremor: Shaking occurs when moving a muscle.
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Postural tremor: Tremor appears when holding a position, such as outstretched arms.
What causes essential tremor, and is there anything that triggers it?
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but research suggests changes in certain parts of the brain possibly the cerebellum play a role. Triggers like caffeine, stress, fatigue, or extreme temperatures can make tremors more noticeable.
Is essential tremor contagious?
No. Essential tremor is not an infectious disease and cannot be spread from one person to another.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is essential tremor diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on medical history, symptom review, and neurological examination. There is no single test to confirm essential tremor. Instead, healthcare providers focus on ruling out other possible causes of tremor.
What tests may be done to diagnose essential tremor?
A doctor may request blood tests to exclude thyroid problems, imaging studies like MRI or CT scans to rule out structural brain changes, and sometimes performance-based assessments to evaluate tremor severity.
Management and Treatment
How is essential tremor treated, and is there a cure?
There’s no known cure, but treatment can reduce symptoms. First-line options include medications like propranolol or primidone. If these are not effective, advanced options such as botulinum toxin injections or deep brain stimulation surgery may be considered.
Complications/side effects of treatments
Medications can cause fatigue, dizziness, or slower heart rate. Surgical treatments carry risks such as infection or speech difficulties.
How to take care of myself/manage symptoms?
Patients often find it helpful to limit caffeine, get adequate rest, and practice stress reduction techniques. Using adaptive utensils and weighted pens can also make daily tasks easier.
How soon after treatment will I feel better, and how long does it take to recover?
Medication effects can appear within days to weeks, while surgical recovery varies deep brain stimulation may require weeks of adjustment before benefits are noticeable.
Outlook / Prognosis
What can I expect if I have essential tremor?
The condition often progresses slowly. While tremors may become more pronounced over time, they don’t usually shorten lifespan.
How long does essential tremor last, and can it go away?
It is typically lifelong. While symptoms can be managed, complete remission is rare.
What’s the outlook for essential tremor?
With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, many people lead full, active lives despite tremors.
Prevention
How can I reduce my risk of developing essential tremor or prevent it altogether?
There’s no guaranteed prevention since genetics play a large role. However, maintaining good overall neurological health by avoiding excessive alcohol, limiting caffeine, and managing stress may reduce symptom severity if tremors do develop.
Living With
How do I take care of myself?
Build supportive routines, stay connected with healthcare providers, and adapt work or home environments to reduce tremor-related challenges.
When should I see my healthcare provider, or when should I seek care?
Seek medical advice if tremors are interfering with daily activities, worsening quickly, or accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
When should I go to the ER?
Head to the emergency room if tremors are sudden in onset, linked with weakness, difficulty speaking, or loss of coordination these could signal a stroke or other urgent conditions.
FAQs
Essential tremor can be cured ? No, there is currently no cure. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce symptoms.
Essential tremor with parkinson's ? It’s possible for someone to have both conditions, but they are different disorders. A neurologist can help differentiate and manage them.
Published 23rd August 2025
References
Cleveland Clinic – Essential Tremor
Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11886-essential-tremor
Mayo Clinic – Essential tremor: Diagnosis and treatment
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350539