Essential temblor: what is it, treatment and how to identify it

The essential temblor is an alteration of the nervous system that causes the emergence of temblores in any part of the body, especially in the hands and in the arms when trying to carry out simple tasks, such as using a vase, clipping the teeth or tying los cordones de los zapatos, for example.

Generally, this type of temblor is not a serious problem, it is not caused by any illness, however, it can be confused with Parkinson’s disease due to its similar symptoms.

The essential temblor cannot be cured, but the specific causes of this condition are not known, however, patients can be controlled with the use of certain medications prescribed by the neurologist or the physiotherapist to strengthen the muscles.

Treatment for the essential temblor

The treatment for the essential temblor must be guided by a neurologist and, normally, it is only started when the temblores prevent the realization of daily tasks. The most used treatments include:

• Medicines for high blood pressure, such as atenolol or metoprolol, which helps to reduce the emergence of temblores;
• Medicines for epilepsy, such as primidone or gabapentin, which relieve headaches when high blood pressure medications take effect;
• anxiolytic drugs, such as alprazolam or clonazepam, which allow relief from symptoms that are aggravated by situations of stress and anxiety.

In addition to this, an injection of botox can be applied in some nerve roots, relieving symptoms of pain, especially when the action of the medications and the control of stress are not enough to reduce the symptoms.

When physical therapy is needed

Physiotherapy is recommended in all cases of essential temblor, but especially in the most serious cases in which the temblores make it difficult to carry out certain daily activities, such as eating, tying the shoe cord or brushing the hair, for example.

During physiotherapy sessions, the therapist, in addition to carrying out exercises to strengthen the muscles, also teaches and trains different techniques to carry out activities in which it becomes difficult, using different adapted equipment.

How to identify the essential temblor

This type of temblor can occur at any age, however, it is more frequent in people of average age, between 40 and 50 years. The rhythms are rhythmic, they occur during the realization of a movement and can affect one of the sides of the body, however, in the course of the time they can evolve into two.

It is more common to find people in the hands, the arms, the head and the legs, but they can also appear in the voice, when they are better at rest. In spite of not being considered serious, the essential temblor could bring consequences in the quality of life of the person, it could interfere in the social life or in the work, for example.

What is the difference with Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is one of the main neurological diseases in which temblor arises, however, unlike the essential temblor, in Parkinson’s it can arise even with the person being at rest, apart from being able to affect posture, modify the form of walking and decreasing the speed of movements and, in addition, generally starting with the hands, but it can affect the legs and the mentón, for example.

On the other hand, in the essential temblor, the temblores occur when the person initiates a movement, it does not cause alterations in the body and it is more common that it is observed in hands, head and voice.

However, the best way to ensure that the disease is not a Parkinson’s disease is to consult a neurologist to carry out the necessary examinations, diagnose the disease and initiate proper treatment.