No, essential tremor cannot be cured. It is a lifelong condition that tends to progress slowly. Two medications reduce it enough to matter for roughly half of the people who try them, and for tremor that resists medication and genuinely interferes with living, procedures exist that reduce it substantially.
No, essential tremor cannot be cured. It is a lifelong condition that tends to progress slowly. Two medications reduce it enough to matter for roughly half of the people who try them, and for tremor that resists medication and genuinely interferes with living, procedures exist that reduce it substantially.
Propranolol and primidone are the first-line choices, used alone or together, and about half of people get a worthwhile reduction. Worthwhile means being able to hold a cup, sign a name or eat soup in company, not the disappearance of tremor. Where those fail or cannot be tolerated, topiramate and certain benzodiazepines are second-line. Propranolol is avoided in asthma. The realistic frame is reduction of amplitude, and setting that expectation at the start prevents a lot of disappointment.
MRI-guided focused ultrasound creates a small lesion in the thalamus without an incision and reduces tremor on one side, and it is not adjustable afterwards. Deep brain stimulation implants an electrode and is adjustable and can treat both sides. Both are performed at hospitals by neurosurgical teams; this practice performs no surgery and refers. Candidacy depends on how disabling the tremor is, not simply on how visible it is.
The distinction from Parkinson's disease is the one that matters most. Essential tremor appears during action, reaching for a glass or writing, often affects both hands, frequently involves the head or voice, and commonly runs in families. Parkinsonian tremor is present at rest, is usually asymmetric, and comes with slowness and stiffness. Thyroid overactivity, several medications, caffeine, alcohol withdrawal and anxiety all produce tremor too, and some of those are entirely reversible, which is why the evaluation includes blood work and a medication review.
Weighted utensils and wide-grip pens, stabilising the elbow on a surface before fine tasks, smaller cups filled less full, and occupational therapy for specific activities. Reducing caffeine helps some people. Alcohol temporarily suppresses essential tremor, which is a well-recognised feature and not a treatment, since tremor rebounds afterwards and regular use for this reason causes its own problems.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: MedlinePlus: tremor; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; American Academy of Neurology.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.