Print OverviewEssential tremor is a nervous system condition, also known as a neurological condition. It causes rhythmic shaking that you can't control. Essential tremor can affect almost any part of the body, but the trembling happens most often in the hands. The trembling occurs especially when doing simple tasks, such as drinking from a glass or tying shoelaces. Essential tremor usually is not a dangerous condition. However, it typically worsens over time and can be severe for some people. Other conditions don't cause essential tremor, but essential tremor sometimes is confused with Parkinson's disease. Essential tremor can happen at any age but is most common in people age 40 and older.Products & ServicesNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition SymptomsEssential tremor symptoms: Begin gradually. They usually are more noticeable on one side of the body. Worsen with movement. Usually happen in the hands first, affecting one hand or both hands. Can include a "yes-yes" or "no-no" double nodding or shaking motion of the head. May worsen with emotional stress, fatigue, caffeine or extreme temperatures. Essential tremor vs. Parkinson's diseaseMany people link tremors with Parkinson's disease. But the two conditions differ in important ways, including: Timing of tremors. Essential tremor of the hands usually happens when using the hands. Tremors from Parkinson's disease are most noticeable when the hands are resting at the sides of the body or in the lap. Related conditions. Essential tremor doesn't cause other health problems. However, people with essential tremor sometimes develop other neurological symptoms, such as an unsteady walk. Parkinson's disease is linked to stooped posture, slow movement and dragging the feet when walking. Parts of the body affected. Essential tremor mainly involves the hands, head and voice. Parkinson's disease tremors usually start in the hands and can affect the legs, chin and other parts of the body. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesAbout half the people with essential tremor appear to have an altered gene. This form of the condition is referred to as familial tremor. It isn't clear what causes essential tremor in people who don't have familial tremor. Risk factors Autosomal dominant inheritance pattern Enlarge image Close Autosomal dominant inheritance pattern Autosomal dominant inheritance pattern In an autosomal dominant disorder, the changed gene is a dominant gene. It's located on one of the nonsex chromosomes, called autosomes. Only one changed gene is needed for someone to be affected by this type of condition. A person with an autosomal dominant condition — in this example, the father — has a 50% chance of having an affected child with one changed gene and a 50% chance of having an unaffected child. Known risk factors for essential tremor include: Altered gene. The inherited variety of essential tremor, known as familial tremor, is an autosomal dominant disorder. That means an altered gene from just one parent is needed to pass on the condition. Anyone who has a parent with an altered gene for essential tremor has a 50% chance of developing the condition. Age. Essential tremor is more common in people age 40 and older. ComplicationsEssential tremor isn't life-threatening, but symptoms often worsen over time. If the tremors become severe, it might be difficult to: Hold a cup or glass without spilling. Eat without shaking. Put on makeup or shave. Talk, if the voice box or tongue is affected. Write legibly. PreventionThere is no known way to prevent essential tremor. By Mayo Clinic Staff Essential tremor care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment March 15, 2025 Print Living with essential tremor? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Parkinson's Disease support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Parkinson's Disease Discussions Living with Parkinson's Disease - Meet others & come say hi 561 Replies Wed, Mar 05, 2025 chevron-right Parkinson’s unresponsive episodes 80 Replies Wed, Feb 12, 2025 chevron-right Is anyone using Rytary? 102 Replies Sat, Aug 24, 2024 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Tremor. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/tremor. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. The facts about essential tremor. International Essential Tremor Foundation. https://essentialtremor.org/resource/the-facts-about-essential-tremor. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. Chou KL, et al. Surgical treatment of essential tremor. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. Liang TW. Essential tremor: Clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. Ferri FF. Essential tremor. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2025. Elsevier; 2025. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. Jankovic J, et al., eds. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. Giordano M, et al. Comparison between deep brain stimulation and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound in the treatment of essential tremor: A systematic review and pooled analysis of functional outcomes. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 2020; doi:10.1136/jnnp-2020-323216. Coping tips for everyday living. International Essential Tremor Foundation. https://essentialtremor.org/resource/coping-tips-for-everyday-living. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. AskMayoExpert. Essential tremor (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2023. Okelberry T, et al. Updates in essential tremor. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2024; doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.106086. Nimmagadda N. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Jan. 17, 2025. Deik A. Essential tremor: Treatment and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 9, 2025. Related Essential tremor test Associated Procedures Deep brain stimulation News from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Minute: When to consider deep brain stimulation for essential tremor Nov. 07, 2023, 04:00 p.m. CDT Products & Services Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, have been ranked among the best Neurology & Neurosurgery hospitals in the nation for 2024-2025 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Essential tremorSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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