Essential tremor

Overview

Essential tremor is a nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) that causes a rhythmic shaking. Essential tremor can affect almost any part of your body, but the trembling occurs most often in your hands — especially when you try to do simple tasks, such as drinking from a glass, tying shoelaces, writing or shaving. Essential tremor may also affect your head, voice, arms or legs.

Although usually not a dangerous condition, essential tremor worsens over time and can be severe in some people. It isn't caused by other diseases, although it's sometimes confused with Parkinson's disease. Essential tremor can occur at any age but is most common in people age 40 and older.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for essential tremor

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors have expertise and experience in evaluating and treating people with essential tremor and other neurological conditions. Doctors trained in movement disorders treat essential tremor and all types of movement disorders.
• Teamwork. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in nervous system conditions (neurologists), brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeons), and other areas collaborate to provide your care.
• Treatment expertise. Mayo Clinic neurologists have expertise treating essential tremor with botulinum toxin injections, deep brain stimulation and other therapies. Doctors work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan to manage your condition.
• Research leaders. Mayo Clinic movement disorder specialists study new diagnosis and treatment options for people with essential tremor and other movement disorders.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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