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Familial tremor   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Tremor - familial

Treatment

Treatment may not be necessary unless tremors interfere with the patient's ability to perform daily activities.

Medications are variable because of individual responses to them. Medications that may reduce tremors include propranolol, Mysoline and other anticonvulsants, and mild tranquilizers. If tremors interfere with activity significantly and are not responsive to medication, surgery to implant a deep brain stimulator (DBS) in the basal ganglia may be an option.

Caffeine (in substances such as coffee and soda) and other stimulants should be avoided because they commonly worsen tremors.

Alcoholic beverages in small quantities may markedly decrease tremors, but they can lead to alcohol dependence. The mechanism of how alcohol decreases a familial tremor is unknown.

Prognosis

A familial tremor is not a dangerous condition, but it can be annoying and embarrassing. If it is severe, it can mildly interfere with activities, especially fine-motor skills such as writing. Feeding yourself can be a problem. Speech is occasionally involved.

Complications

Complications are the side effects of medications.

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if tremors occur and there is a family history of tremors; a familial tremor is interfering with ability to perform daily activities; or side effects of medications occur including fainting, very slow heart rate, confusion or changes in alertness, and prolonged nausea/vomiting.

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