Essential tremor
Overview

Essential tremor is a type of uncontrollable shake or tremble of part of the body. It is a common movement disorder that for most people is a minor nuisance, but it does get gradually worse with time. At its most severe, essential tremor is disabling and makes it very difficult to perform daily activities.
Essential tremor usually affects the arms and hands, although it can also affect other body parts, including head, face, jaw, tongue and feet.
Sometimes, the voice can also sound shaky.
Everyone has a very minor tremor when carrying out daily activities. For example, your hands will shake slightly when you hold them out in front of you. This is normal.
Sometimes, the everyday level of tremor can become more noticeable, particularly in older people. Noticeable tremor is also normal and it is often caused by a raised level of adrenaline in the body, which can happen when a person is stressed, anxious or angry.
So, when does a tremor become a disorder? Essential tremor is more severe than normal tremor. It can be made worse by the same things that cause normal tremor, such as stress and anxiety.
Essential tremor gradually gets worse over the years. Eventually, the tremor may become so severe that carrying out normal, everyday activities can become difficult. For example, activities such as writing, drinking a glass of water or tying shoelaces may become particularly challenging.
It is important that you visit your licensed health practitioner if you experience frequent or severe tremors. They will carry out a physical examination to check for tremor when you move.
They will also ask about your medical history and that of your immediate family to find out whether essential tremor runs in your family. There is no specific test to diagnose essential tremor. The condition is usually diagnosed after clinical assessment.
Essential tremor affects men and women equally. It can affect people of any age, although it becomes more common with advancing age. Around 4 out of 100 adults over 40 years of age have the condition. Essential tremor can run in families. At least half of people with the condition have a family member who also has it. It can also occur when a person is taking certain types of medication, such as inhalers for asthma.
The only symptom of essential tremor is the characteristic shaking. About 9 out of 10 affected people experience a trembling, up-and-down movement of the hands.
Other body parts can also be affected, including the:
- arms
- head
- jaw
- lips
- tongue
- voice box (larynx)
- legs
Essential tremor can begin at any age from childhood onwards. The later the condition starts, the milder it is likely to be. The tremor usually affects both sides of the body equally. It happens when you are trying to hold a position or do something with your hands, such as write. The tremor is not usually present in a body part if it’s completely at rest.
The following factors can make the tremor more severe:
- stress
- anxiety
- anger
- strenuous activity
- caffeine (found in tea, coffee and cola)
- some prescribed medicines
Some people have a mild tremor, although most will find that their tremor gets gradually more severe over the years.
Research suggests that essential tremor may be caused by a change (mutation) in one of your genes. Genes are inherited units of information (DNA) that determine how your body grows and functions.
It is thought that the gene mutation affects the areas of the brain known as the cerebellum and the inferior olive, altering the signals that are sent along the nerves to the muscles.
Inherited and non-inherited essential tremor:
At least half of essential tremor cases are inherited. This means that a faulty gene is responsible for the condition and is passed on to you from your parents. Conditions that are passed on in this way are known as autosomal dominant disorders.
If one of your parents has a faulty gene for essential tremor, you have up to a 50% chance of developing the disorder yourself. However, how old a person is when they first develop the condition and its severity can vary greatly between different family members.
Unfortunately, there is no simple test to determine whether your essential tremor is caused by one particular faulty gene. There may not always be a family history of essential tremor as not everyone with the mutated gene will develop symptoms. Similarly, some people may develop the mutation without inheriting it from either parent.
Tremor triggers:
Your tremor may be triggered or made worse by one or more of the following actions:
- making controlled or small, detailed movements, such as drinking a glass of water or writing
- eating
- putting on make-up
- shaving
- Being tired, anxious, hot or cold is also likely to make your symptoms worse.
Other causes tremor:
There are a number of other conditions or factors that can cause a tremor. These include:
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Parkinson’s disease, a long-term condition that affects the way the brain co-ordinates body movements
- multiple sclerosis, a condition of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that affects the senses and the body’s actions
- dystonia, a range of movement disorders that cause involuntary muscle spasms
- stroke, which very rarely may result in tremor with few other symptoms
- peripheral neuropathy, where the peripheral nervous system is damaged
- withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol, which may affect people who were dependant on alcohol and have stopped or reduced their alcohol intake
- amphetamines and other stimulants
- medications, such as some antidepressants and some medicines that are taken for asthma
- too much caffeine, in tea, coffee and some fizzy drinks
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The emphasis should be on whole foods with lots of fluids, raw foods (50 per cent to 75 per cent of the diet) and sprouts. Green, leafy vegetables are recommended, along with rutabagas (swede or turnip), sesame seeds and sesame butter. If you are taking the drug Levodopa, it is recommended to decrease the foods that are rich in Vitamin B6 – whole grains (especially oats), raw nuts (especially peanuts), bananas, potatoes, liver and fish, as this can make Levodopa ineffective. Patients taking the drug Sinemet do not need to avoid B6-rich foods or B6 supplements.
It is recommended that you increase your intake of foods rich in antioxidants (chemicals that scavenge and eat-up so-called ‘free radicals’ –- tiny molecules that circulate in your tissues and damage those tissues.) Free radicals have a special affinity for cells that produce dopamine. So the greater the number of antioxidants in your system, the fewer the number of circulating free radicals. Theoretically this should reduce the rate of loss of dopamine cells over time.
Foods which are rich in antioxidants include spinach), broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, red kidney beans, pinto beans, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, plums and apples. Tea, especially green tea and black tea, contains a lot of antioxidants. Red wine and dark juices, such as pomegranate and blueberry are also rich in antioxidants.
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential nutrient for most tissues in your body so make sure you consume adequate amounts. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
It is important to not add further toxicity to your system so try to adhere to the following:
- Do not consume any artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda, NutraSweet or Aspartame
- Do not consume high fructose corn syrup or mono-sodium glutamate.
- Do not drink any carbonated beverages.
- Avoid all fast food restaurants.
- Avoid all canned food.
- Eliminate conventional dairy products. The best dairy products are raw, unpasteurised and homogenised dairy from grass fed cows. If this is unavailable, then buy organic dairy.
- Avoid conventional beef. The best beef is organic grass fed beef.
www.grasslandbeef.com The second best is organic meat; this includes beef, veal, lamb, chicken and turkey.
Supplements:
Assessment of individual amino acids is important. Consult an orthomolecular doctor. Other useful nutrients include GABA, calcium, and magnesium, vitamin B complex (but not to be taken with Levodopa), lecithin, vitamin C, vitamin E, evening primrose oil, multivitamin/mineral complex, and DHEA (a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands). Consult a licensed health practitioner first.
Researchers from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, reported that monkeys suffering from neurological damage, regained their ability to walk and climb after receiving injections of GM1 ganglioside, a substance that occurs naturally in the nerve cells. The research found it stimulated dopamine production. The coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) (25-50 mg per) day administered intravenously has also been shown to produce a beneficial effect in patients with Parkinson’s. Selenium is also recommended for its ability to detoxify mercury poisoning.
A study revealed patients who were given injections of 100mg of neotrophin-1 (complex glycoproteins, in this case derived from snake venom), resulted in dramatic improvement after a period of six to eight weeks.
- Take Vitamin D3 50,000-100,000 International Units a day for periods of 4 weeks at a time.
- Wholefood supplements are the best way of ensuring your nutritional needs are met. The best we know on the market is Kevin Trudeau’s “KT Daily” product. You can find more details here.
- Take an Omega 3 supplement:
- Vitamin B is essential – especially niacin
Prescription and non-prescription medication:
What non-prescription and prescription drugs are you taking? Your non-prescription and prescription are partially the reason that you have this illness or disease – you need to get off these medications but do so only under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner.
We know that when the body is out of balance, energy doesn’t flow, leading blockages and eventually disease. Here are some things you can do to combat stress and restore balance:
- Go to a Dr Morter BEST (Bio-Energetic Synchronisation Technique) Practitioner.
- Sign up for Energetic Re-Balancing: 2 practitioners to consider are:
Stephen Lewis, founder of the Aim Program. Find out more by clicking here.
. Find out more by clicking here.
- Consider using Mary Millers Iching System Products – ichingsystemsinstruments.com
- Reiki healing is very powerful in releasing stress and emotional baggage. Find a practitioner here.
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has had remarkable results in dissolving stress. Find a local practitioner here or go to www.thetappingsolution.com or www.tftrx.com
- Try Hypnotherapy to relax the mind. Find a practitioner here.
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Tremor and Tai Chi: www.tremor.org.uk/tai-chi.html
Tremor and yoga: www.tremor.org.uk/yoga.html
Tremor and hydroptherapy: www.tremor.org.uk/hydrotherapy.html
Traditional Chinese Medicine – Ancient Healing www.naturalcures.com/healthblog/traditional_chinese_ancient_healing.php
The best way to cleansing and purification of the body www.naturalcures.com/recommends/
Mother Nature’s Natural Germ Fighters naturalhealthdossier.com/2012/03/mother-natures-natural-germ-fighters
Immune health NC_Newsletter_07-11.pdf
Squeaky Clean (Colonic Irrigation) www.naturalcures.com/squeaky-clean
Colloidal Silver NC_Newsletter_09-08.pdf
Heal Your Body and Raise Your Consciousness – Qigong NC_Newsletter_12-08.pdf
Health Care that Won’t Cost You a Single Penny – EFT NC_Newsletter_12-06.pdf
Become Master of Your Mind – taking charge of your reaction to stress NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf
Jump for Joy – Rebounding is a great stress busting workout NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf
Hypnotherapy for stress management – why it is so effective www.naturalcures.com
Video
Chinese medicine for tremors: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAFTGWGYmOM
Healing the body meditation www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFh-Km4AXeE&feature=related
EFT for treating disease www.garythink.com/eft/physicial.html
Research
Gluten and the link with tremors: www.naturalnews.com/035224_gluten_nervous_system_brain_damage.html
Further Information (links and books)
Essential Tremor: The Facts, Mark Plumb and Peter Bain
Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics by John McKenna
The Healing Power of Nature Foods: 50 Revitalizing Superfoods & Lifestyle Choices To Promote Vibrant Health by Susan Smith Jones
Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Mindi Green
Detox and revitalize by Susana L. Belen
Colloidal Silver: The Natural Antibiotic Alternative by Zane Baranowski
The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal
The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines by Michael Castleman and Prevention Magazine
Links:
Whole food supplement, Pure Synergy
www.thesynergycompany.com (800) 723-0277
E3 Live, Green Superfoods
www.awakenedshoppe.com
Omega-3s, Cod Liver oil
www.drrons.com (877) 472-8701
St. John’s Wort
Sunlight Therapy, Solar Healing
EMF Chaos Elimination, Q-Link
www.toolsforwellness.com (800) 456-9887
Callahan Technique, Thought Field Therapy
www.tftrx.com (760) 564-1008
Dianetics, Dianetics Technology
www.dianetics.com (800) 367-8788
Neuro Emotional Technique
www.netmindbody.com (800) 888-4638
Bowen, Find Practitioner
Rebounder, Evolution Health
www.evolutionhealth.com (888) 896-7790
Andrea Butje | Aromahead [email protected] – aromatherapy
Carrie Vitt [email protected] – organic food recipes.
David Spector-NSR/USA [email protected] – meditation, stress
judith hoad [email protected] – herbalist.
Kath May [email protected] – reiki, tai chi.
Lillian Bridges [email protected] – Chinese medicine, living naturally.
Monika [email protected] – aromatherapy.
Rakesh [email protected] – Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Joanne Callaghan – [email protected] www.RogerCallahan.com Thought Field Therapy (TF) releasing unresolved emotions, stress and illness.
Trusted products
Clean well – Natural Cleaning Products
EMF necklace – blocker and stress reducing pendant