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physiologic tremor
Etiology:
- often associated with medications, stress, caffeine, or other triggers
Clinical manifestations:
- low amplitude, fast (6-12 Hz) tremor most evident in the fingers & hands when held in a fixed position against gravity.
- fluctuating course the resolves with removal of underlying triggers
- no improvement with alcohol
- little or no functional impairment occurs.
Management:
1) reassurance
2) avoidance of caffeine & other stimulants
3) anxiolytics (occasional use)
4) propranolol 10-20 mg PO TID
5) primidone if propranolol contraindicated [2]
General
action tremor
References
- Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders,
Philadelphia, 1996, pg 1015-16
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 10th edition (GRS10)
Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2019