Essential tremor: tips and tricks

Tremors are a common reason for neurology consultations and can sometimes be a diagnostic challenge. One of the most common causes is essential tremor, which needs to be distinguished from other types of tremors, such as those found in Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar disease or dystonic tremor. This categorisation is important as their treatment and prognosis differ. This review focuses on two main characteristics of tremor to help with its differential diagnosis: ‘The When’, or conditions that enhance the tremor, which include action, postural, intentional components and resting tremor; and ‘The Where’ or the body location, which includes tremor in the upper limbs, head or voice.