A+ a-
Stay Connected Research News Discussion Forum Advocacy and Support Organizations Patient Meeting Calendar Movement Disorder Glossary Movement Disorders Virtual University Linkage Library
WE MOVE

Make a Donation
Ataxia
Bradykinesia
Choreoathetosis
Corticobasal Degeneration
Dyskinesias (Paroxysmal)
Dystonia
Essential Tremor
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Huntington's Disease
Multiple System Atrophy
Myoclonus
Parkinson's Disease
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Restless Legs Syndrome
Rett Syndrome
Spasticity
Sydenham's Chorea
Tardive Dyskinesia
Tics
Tourette's Syndrome
Tremor
Wilson Disease
 

Lifestyle Changes

It may be advisable to restrict or eliminate caffeine from the diet (e.g., in soda, coffee, tea, chocolate, etc.) as well as other stimulants as they may contribute to a temporary aggravation of ET symptoms. In addition, specialists in physical and rehabilitative medicine may assist patients with ET who are not receiving drug therapy. For example, exercises with 1- to 2-pound weights strapped to the wrist may help to promote hand stability. In certain individuals, a small quantity of alcohol may decrease tremors; however, this approach to treating ET is controversial and not generally recommended. Although consumption of small amounts of alcohol may pose no risk to some people, it may lead to alcohol dependence in other susceptible individuals. In addition, there may be a rebound worsening of ET symptoms the day after alcohol consumption. The mode of action by which alcohol decreases ET symptoms is not fully understood. Caffeine may modify ET symptoms in some patient and not in others.