General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
A lasting tremor or one that interferes with writing, eating or other tasks warrants medical assessment. The word tremor does not describe a single disease and is not enough to conclude that you have Parkinson’s disease.
The doctor observes which body parts are affected and when: with a limb at rest, while holding a position or during voluntary movement. They also assess the size, frequency and effects of the movements on daily life.
During examination, you may be asked to hold out your arms, touch your nose with a finger, draw a spiral or lift a glass. These tasks help characterise the movement; drawing a spiral yourself does not confirm a disease.
Bring a list of treatments and report tremor beginning after a medicine. The doctor also reviews caffeine and alcohol use and other symptoms. They look for a medicine-related or toxic cause before extending the investigation.
Essential tremor is an action tremor; other tremors occur at rest or accompany another condition. The doctor also distinguishes tremor from tics and irregular jerks. Depending on examination, blood tests or imaging may be proposed.
At the appointment, describe the task causing difficulty and ask what question each test is intended to answer. If one-sided weakness, a drooping mouth or speech difficulty begins suddenly, call 15 or 112 in France instead of waiting for this consultation.
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