Essential Tremor - Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Usually the diagnosis is established on clinical grounds. Tremors can start at any age, from birth through advanced ages (senile tremor). Any voluntary muscle in the body may be affected, although the tremor is most commonly seen in the hands and arms and slightly less commonly in the neck (causing the patient's head to shake), tongue, and legs. A resting tremor of the hands is sometimes present. Tremor occurring in the legs might be diagnosable as Orthostatic Tremor.

ET does sometimes occur in combination with other neurological disorders such as dystonia. In addition, there may be a link between ET and Parkinson's disease, with one study showing ET patients having an approximately 4 times greater likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. Essential tremor also tends to co-occur with Orthostatic Tremor.