USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 Practice Exam

Essential tremor is a neurological movement disorder that primarily affects the hands but can involve other parts of the body. One of its hallmark characteristics is that the tremor typically worsens when the individual maintains certain postures, such as holding their arms outstretched or performing tasks that require fine motor skills. This phenomenon is known as "postural tremor" and emphasizes the tremor's behavioral pattern during activities that require muscle engagement to sustain a position. In contrast, some other types of tremors, such as resting tremor associated with Parkinson's disease, are more pronounced when the affected body part is at rest. However, in essential tremor, the increase in tremor amplitude during posture holding is a distinguishing feature, reinforcing the diagnosis and aiding in differentiation from other movement disorders. Thus, understanding that essential tremor's severity escalates with certain postures provides important clinical insight into its management and the day-to-day challenges faced by patients dealing with this condition.