Movement disorders: Keys to identifying and treating tremor

Tremor is one of the most common adult neurologic disorders. It is characterized by involuntary, rhythmic and oscillatory movements of a body part. Tremor affects quality of life by impeding simple motor tasks and activities of daily living and heightening self consciousness. Severe tremor can undermine independence, relationships, and recreational and social activities. Initial clinical objectives include determining the tremor type and ruling out Parkinson's disease. Severe cases typically require pharmacologic therapy, and in some instances, surgical intervention; both strategies for severe cases, however, have drawbacks.