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Tremor - self-care

Shaking - self-care; Essential tremor - self-care; Familial tremor - self-care

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Description

A tremor is a type of shaking in your body. Most tremors are in the hands and arms. However, they may affect any body part, even your head or voice.

More About Tremors

For many people with a tremor, a specific disease cause is not found. Some types of tremors run in families. A tremor may also be part of a long-term brain or nerve disorder.

Some medicines can cause tremors. Talk with your health care provider if a medicine may be causing your tremor. Your provider may lower the dosage or switch you to another medicine. Do not change or stop any medicine before you talk with your provider.

You may not need treatment for your tremor unless it interferes with your daily life or is embarrassing for you.

Lifestyle Changes can Help

Most tremors become worse when you are tired.

Stress and anxiety can also make your tremor worse. These things may lower your stress level:

Alcohol use can also cause tremors. If it is the cause of your tremors, seek treatment and support. Your provider can help you find a treatment program that may help you stop drinking.

Managing Your Tremor Day-to-day

Tremors can worsen over time. They may begin to interfere with your ability to do your daily activities. To help in your day-to-day activities:

Medicines to Treat Tremors

Your provider may prescribe medicines to relieve your tremor symptoms. How well any medicine works may depend on your body and the cause of your tremor.

Some of these medicines have side effects. Tell your provider if you have these symptoms or any other symptoms you are concerned about:

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider if:

References

Jankovic J, Lang AE. Diagnosis and assessment of Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 24.

Okun MS, Lang AE. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 382.

Schneider SA, Deuschl G. The treatment of tremor. Neurotherapeutics. 2014;11(1):128-138. PMID: 24142589 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24142589/.

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Review Date: 5/2/2022  

Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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06/01/2025

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