19 Unmistakable Red Flags Your Body Might Be Battling Essential Tremor

13. Increased Sensitivity to Caffeine and Stimulants

Many individuals with essential tremor report that their symptoms worsen after consuming caffeine, nicotine, or other stimulants. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks, is well known for its stimulating effects on the nervous system. In those with essential tremor, it can exacerbate involuntary shaking by increasing nerve excitability and muscle responsiveness. Similarly, nicotine and certain medications, such as decongestants or stimulants for ADHD, may heighten tremor severity. Understanding these effects can help individuals make lifestyle adjustments. Some people find that switching to decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, or caffeine-free sodas helps reduce symptom intensity. Others may notice that limiting nicotine or avoiding stimulant medications (when possible) leads to more stable motor control. While eliminating caffeine entirely isn’t necessary for everyone, tracking personal triggers through a symptom journal can help determine how different substances impact tremors and allow individuals to make informed dietary and medication choices.

14. Difficulty Using a Touchscreen or Typing on a Keyboard

With the widespread use of smartphones, tablets, and computers, essential tremor can pose significant challenges in daily digital interactions. Many individuals experience difficulty using a touchscreen, as tremors make precise taps, scrolling, or swiping actions difficult. Accidental selections, repeated key presses, or struggling to hit small buttons on a screen can make texting, browsing, or using apps frustrating. Typing on a keyboard can also become problematic, as involuntary movements lead to errors, extra keystrokes, or difficulty maintaining accuracy. This can slow productivity and cause frustration, especially for those who rely on computers for work. To compensate, many individuals turn to voice-to-text features, predictive text, or styluses with stabilizing grips. Adaptive technology, such as tremor-friendly keyboards, touchscreen sensitivity adjustments, or assistive typing tools, can also help make digital communication smoother. Small adjustments, such as using a larger touchscreen device or keyboard shortcuts, can significantly improve ease of use.