Question

A patient presents to your office complaining of a tremor in his right hand. He states after a beer it goes away completely. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 1

A tremor in the right hand that improves after consuming alcohol is most likely an essential tremor. This neurological condition causes involuntary shaking, typically in the hands, and is often improved with alcohol. It's most common in middle-aged and older adults.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient presenting with a tremor in the right hand that goes away after a beer may most likely be diagnosed with an essential tremor. Essential tremor is a nervous system (neurological) disorder that causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking. It can affect almost any part of your body but the trembling occurs most often in your hands and it's noticeably improved with alcohol consumption.

While essential tremor can occur at any age, it is more common among middle-aged and older individuals. It's important to differentiate this type of tremor from other types, such as those caused by Parkinson's disease, through a proper neurological evaluation. In the case of essential tremor, other symptoms tend to be absent, making the alcohol-responsive tremor a key diagnostic clue.