Overview Of The Causes And Complications Of Essential Tremor

Speech Problems

Essential tremor patients may develop speech problems as they age and their condition progresses over time. The exact mechanism that causes speech problems in essential tremor is not clear. However, it is thought to be closely associated with the development of tremors in the larynx. The larynx, also called the voice box, is a component of the respiratory tract that encompasses the vocal cords. It is located in between the trachea and pharynx. The vocal cords are the two bands of muscle that form a 'V' shape in the larynx. They 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. This is 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. They may experience interruptions in vocal sound production with tremors in their vocal cords. In rare cases, a tremor in the abdominal, chest, or mouth muscles may be responsible for speech problems associated with essential tremor.