Essential Tremor | Overview


What is essential tremor?

Essential tremor, sometimes called benign (non-cancerous) or familial tremor, is an uncontrollable shaking, most often in the hands and forearms. You might notice this tremor when your arms are reaching out in front of your body. It is caused by problems in communication between certain areas of the brain. Tremor affects people in different ways. Some people hardly notice it. Other people may be embarrassed by it.


Tremor by S Smaga (American Family Physician October 15, 2003,

Written by editorial staff

Reviewed/Updated: 03/14
Created: 11/04