Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of tremor (tremor).
Family history
- Are there any individuals in your family with neurologic disorders? Genetically related disorders?
Social history
- Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- How long has the tremor been present? Has there been any change in intensity? Become stronger?
- When does the tremor occur? At rest, during certain movements?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms such as dizziness, cognitive impairment, incontinence, etc.?
- Do you suffer from: strong emotions, stress, exhaustion; cold; muscle fatigue?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Do you like to drink coffee, black and green tea? If so, how many cups per day?
- Do you drink other or additional caffeinated beverages? If so, how much of each?
- Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (neurological diseases; metabolic disorders; infections; liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol dependence).
- Operations
- Allergies
Medication history
- Antiarrhythmic drugs
- Class Ia antiarrhythmics (procainamide).
- Class Ib antiarrhythmics (lidocaine, mexiletine).
- Class III antiarrhythmics (amiodarone)
- Antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – concomitant use of sertraline with lithium may lead to an increase in tremor
- Tricyclics
- Antiemetics (metoclopramide)
- Antiepileptic drugs (lamotrigine, tiagabine, topiramate, valproate, valproic acid).
- Antihypertensives (reserpine).
- Antipsychotics (neuroleptics)
- Betamimetics (synonyms: β2-sympathomimetics, also β2-adrenoceptor agonists) – fenoterol, formoterol, hexoprenaline, ritodrine, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline.
- Dopaminergics
- Hormones
- Adrenaline (epinephrine)
- Adrenocorticosteroids
- Antiestrogens (e.g., tamoxifen)
- Corticoids (steroids)
- Progesterone
- Thyroid hormones – L-thyroxine (T4), liothyronine (T3)
- Immunosuppressants – ciclosporin (cyclosporin A).
- Lithium
- Metoclopramide (antiemetic)
- Sympathomimetics, indirect (“stimulants“) – amphetamine, methylphenidate.
- Tetrabenazine (drug approved for the treatment of Huntington’s disease).
- Valproate (epileptic drug)
- Antivirals (aciclovir, valaciclovir)
- Xanthines (caffeine, tein, theophylline).
- Cytostatics
Environmental history
- Arsenic
- Lead
- Cyanide
- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
- DioxinNote: Dioxin belongs to the endocrine disruptors (synonym: xenohormones), which even in the smallest amounts can damage health by altering the hormonal system.
- Kepon
- Carbon monoxide
- Lindane
- Naphthalene
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Mercury
- Toluene
