Head Shakes In Elderly People

[Tilly2]

I have an aunt who is eighty two. She's fit as a fiddle, always on the move, slim, always laughing and has a bit of osteoarthritis but doesn't let it bother her.

but... I have noticed that,when she is sitting still, reading or watching the T.V., her head shakes almost imperceptibly.

I don't like to mention it to her but is it something unusual, or something to be expected of an elderly lady?

[gingejbee]

It's called "essential tremor".......

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Tremor-%28essential%29/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Ginge but it's just her head. No other part of her body seems to be affected.

[1581960]

Or perhaps "dystonic tremor" sometimes difficult to diagnose which tremor it is.

[ethandron]

I have it, and my dad did. Barely noticeable but I’m very aware of it. Just one of those things the doctor said.

[1581960]

I rather think tremors usually start in just one place, then spread to other areas.

[ethandron]

It’s just my head, had it for years.

[ubasses]

It can be in several parts of the body. We have a a friend with it in hishands, his sister has it in her head and voice box. It is often inherited. inthisc ase their mother had it.

[Tilly2]

So, nothing to worry about really?

[Sqad]

Essential tremor......by far the commonest cause of the symptoms that you describe. Yes it is to be expected in the elderly and the cause is unknown, rarely requiring treatment.

Dystonia ( dystonic tremor) is extremely uncommon, usually starts in early or mid life, so doesn't apply to your post.

Nothing to worry about.

[1581960]

Not an easy one to arrive at any conclusions to, I know someone who had a bottom jaw tremor that has gradually progressed to the entire head and upper limbs. Originally diagnosed by a consultant as "essential" but later changed to "dystonic". There seems to be as many variations as there are sufferers, and treatment is iffy at best.

[Tilly2]

I won't worry then and I certainly won't mention it to her.

Thanks for all the replies. I have learned something tonight. :-)