What Are The Causes And Complications Of Essential Tremor?

Speech Problems

Essential tremor patients may develop speech problems as they grow older and the tremor progresses over time. The exact mechanism that causes speech problems in essential tremor is not clear, but it is thought to be closely associated with the development of tremors in the voice box. The larynx, also called the voice box, is a component of the respiratory tract that encompasses the vocal cords and is located in between the trachea and pharynx. The vocal cords are the two bands of muscle that form a V shape in the voice box and are the structures responsible for the production of sound. When an individual speaks, their vocal cords move closer together and tighten. When they are not speaking, their vocal cords relax and move further apart. An essential tremor patient may exhibit a quivering sound in their voice when they speak as a result of involuntary rhythmic muscle movements that affect the vocal cords. The volume and or pitch of an affected individual's voice may change, and they may experience interruptions in vocal sound production with tremors in their vocal cords. In rare cases, a tremor in the muscles of the abdomen, chest, or mouth may be responsible for speech problems that occur with essential tremor.