Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Essential Tremor suppression.

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Movement

I have an essential tremor which is visible in my fingers and to some extent (very minor) in my hands.
This has usually not bothered me or prevented me from doing even fine jobs.
However, it gets exaggerated in company and gets unsettling if I'm holding
cups in saucers etc.
Is this hereditary (my father and grandfather have these symptoms but my brother
does not).
Is there any systemic solution/exercise to ease this tremor ?
Thanks.

Dear Dano,
Essential tremor does run in the family and has variable age of onset.
Your brother (younger I assume) may not have expressed this trait yet,
or he may not at all in his lifetime. One thing that is helpful is to have a little bit of alcohol ( a glass of wine) prior to a social event, such as dinner at a restaurant, or public places, to avoid embarrasment of spilling drinks or sauces. There are also medications you can take to reduce the tremor,
such as beta blockers , mysoline, neurontin, or even benzodiazepines.
You should take to your doctor or neurologist about this.
If you live near Cleveland and would like to be evaluated here, please call us at 1-800 CCF CARE.
Good luck.
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