3.7.2
Essential Tremor
Malawi Standard Treatment Guidelines, 6th Edition, 2023. Chapter 3, Central Nervous System Conditions.
Clinical Description
Nervous system disorder that causes involuntary rhythmic shaking. Often affects hands though may also affect head, arms, legs and voice. Can be triggered by stress, fatigue, caffeine and temperature extremes.
Treatment
General Measures
- Exclude and manage alternate causes, such as drugs, thyrotoxicosis, hyper- adrenergic states and psychiatric disorders.
- Occasionally a patient may present with essential tremor and an additional neurological condition, which may make the diagnosis difficult.
If tremor is severe and interfering with normal daily activities: Give beta-blocker, e.g.:
- Propranolol, oral, 60-320mg q24h in divided doses.
Check doses against the printed guideline and your clinical judgement before treating a patient. Spotted an error? Report it from the contact links below.
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