Essential Tremor Flashcards
An essential tremor is a movement disorder involving a tremor (unwanted and uncontrolled shaking). Are essential tremors typically unilateral or bilateral?
- bilaterally
- essentially it is symmetrical throughout the body
An essential tremor is a movement disorder involving a tremor (unwanted and uncontrolled shaking). All of the following can be affected, but which is most common?
1 - hands
2 - legs
3 - head
4 - voice
5 - torso
1 - hands
Are essential tremors more prominent at rest or during voluntary movement?
- voluntary movement
- a tremor at rest is called a resting tremor
In an essential tremor, which occurs when patients perform voluntary movements, does the tremor get worse at the start of the movement or when they are trying to complete movements?
- complete movements
The exact cause of an essential tremor is unknown, but which of the following have been linked with causing essential tremors?
1 - family history
2 - ageing
3 - lifestyle (lack of sleep caffeine)
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
- typically there is thought to be alterations in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit
Does the risk of developing an essential tremor increase or decrease with age?
- increases with age
- equally affects men and women
What is the estimated prevalence of an essential tremor?
1 - 0.3 – 0.9% general population
2 - 3 – 9% general population
3 - 30 – 90% general population
4 - none of the above
4 - none of the above
In patients with an essential tremor, they can typically present with symptoms in the following:
- hands, legs, head, torso and voice
If patients develop other symptoms such as muscle stiffness and memory issues, is this still classed as an essential tremor?
- no
- if other symptoms are present then it is unlikely to be an essential tremor
To be diagnosed with an essential tremor, how long do patients need to have had the symptoms for?
1 - >12 weeks
2 - >1 year
3 - >3 years
4 - >6 years
3 - >3 years
Which of the following can improve an essential tremor?
1 - alcohol
2 - caffeine
3 - lack of sleep
4 - medications
1 - alcohol
- 50-75% improve with alcohol
- acts as a suppressant so reduces tremor
All of the following can make essential tremors worse, EXCEPT which one?
1 - alcohol
2 - caffeine
3 - lack of sleep
4 - medications
1 - alcohol
Do essential tremors and Parkinsons disease always occur in isolation?
- no
- can occur together
In addition to an essential tremor, there is essential tremor plus. What is the distinguishing feature between essential tremor vs. essential tremor plus?
1 - duration of tremor
2 - age at onset of tremor
3 - additional neurological symptoms of uncertain significance
4 - all of the above
3 - additional neurological symptoms of uncertain significance
Differentiating between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinsonism can be difficult. Does ES or Parkinsonism present with unilateral symptoms?
- Parkinsonism
Is hypophonia (soft speech) present in essential tremor or Parkinsonism?
- Parkinsonism
- caused by a poor coordination in the vocal musculature