January 9, 2026

@michaelokun

What is essential tremor and why it matters. Check out the beautiful person w/ disease page that just dropped in JAMA. Remember folks, it is more than just tremor (also clumsiness, falling, thinking, voice, hearing) Essential tremor is a movement disorder, or a condition that affects how the brain controls motion but also other systems. Voelker describes what essential tremor is, how it shows up, and how it can be treated. Key Points: - Essential tremor causes rhythmic shaking that usually happens during action, such as reaching, writing or holding objects. - Symptoms usually start or are noticed in one arm and frequently progress to both arms, and sometimes include the head, voice or jaw. - It is usually asymmetric. - While it does not shorten life, it can significantly interfere w/ daily activities and social confidence. - It is not just a movement challenge as it affects many other body/nervous systems. My take: Essential tremor is frequently misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed. It is not Parkinson’s disease, however it can be just as disruptive to daily life. Clear explanations and thoughtful care from health care providers can make a real difference for folks living w/ essential tremor. Don't forget it is really an ataxia disorder that also involves voice, hearing and cognition (thinking). Watch out for an increased fall risk. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1- Tremor in essential tremor appears more frequently during movement rather than at rest. 2- The condition is common and becomes more frequent as folks age. 3- Family history matters and symptoms can begin earlier in life for some folks. 4- Many non-surgical strategies such as therapy, devices and medications may possibly reduce symptoms especially in earlier stages. 5- Advanced options like focused ultrasound or deep brain stimulation can help when tremor becomes disabling. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2828339?widget=personalizedcontent&previousarticle=0 #fixelinstitute #parkinson #michaelokun