Disorder of the nervous system, causing involuntary, rhythmic movements. It usually affects the hands, but can also affect the head, voice and legs. It mainly affects people over 60 years of age.
The cause is unknown, but there may be a hereditary component.
It manifests with a tremor of the hands that worsens with movement. When it affects the head, it may produce a "yes-yes" or "no-no" movement.
The diagnosis is reached clinically, through questioning and physical examination. It must be differentiated from other causes of tremor such as Parkinson's disease.
If symptoms are mild, no treatment is required. If necessary, drugs such as beta-blockers, anticonvulsants or benzodiazepines may be used. Should there be no response to medical treatment, surgery may be an option if the tremors are severely disabling.
It is not life-threatening, but can be very disabling.
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