Essential tremors are a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary shaking or tremors in parts of the body, usually the hands. The spelling of "Essential Tremors" is pronounced as /ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl ˈtrɛmɔrz/ in the IPA phonetic transcription. The word essential is pronounced with a short 'i' sound, followed by the two syllables 'sen' and 'shul'. The word tremors has the stress on the second syllable and is pronounced with a short 'e' sound followed by the two syllables 'trem' and 'orz'. Understanding the phonetic transcription of words can help with accurate pronunciation and better communication.
Essential Tremors refers to a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, rhythmic, and often subtle shaking or trembling movements. It is considered an uncontrollable tremor that typically affects the hands, although it may also affect the head, voice, arms, legs, and less commonly, other body parts. These tremors or quivering movements may occur during activities such as writing, holding objects, or even at rest.
This condition, also known as benign essential tremor or familial tremor, usually appears during middle age or later in life. It tends to progress gradually and can vary in severity among individuals. While the exact cause of essential tremors is unknown, it is believed to involve disruptions in certain circuits of the brain that control movements.
Essential tremors can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making routine activities challenging and leading to social embarrassment and difficulties with fine motor skills. However, symptoms can improve with rest and worsen with stress, fatigue, and certain substances such as caffeine or nicotine.
Although this condition is generally not life-threatening, it may be mistaken for other disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Treatment options for essential tremors include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and in severe cases, surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) to help control the tremors.
The term "essential tremors" can be broken down into two parts: "essential" and "tremors".
The word "tremors" comes from the Old French word "tremor", which means "a trembling or shaking movement". It traces back to the Latin word "tremor", also meaning "a trembling or shaking".
The word "essential" in this context does not refer to something that is necessary or vitally important. It actually derives from the term "essential tremor", which was originally coined by a neurologist named Peter Bain in the 1970s. The term "essential" was used to differentiate this type of tremor from other movement disorders or tremors attributed to specific causes or secondary to other conditions.