Understanding Hand Tremors: When Is Shaking a Serious Neurological Problem?

Understanding Hand Tremors: When Is Shaking a Serious Neurological Problem?

A shaking hand can be a sign of many everyday issues. People claim that shaky hands are caused by being overly stressed, tired, nervous, or consuming too much caffeine. Everyone will have a shaking hand at some point in their life, especially in a stressful or high-emotion situation. Shaking, in these cases, will subside in time and be of no concern to health. Tremors can be a sign of a serious health concern, especially persistent and worsening hand tremors.

Seeing a neurologist for hand tremors is quite common. While tremors in themselves are harmless, they can be dismissive of symptoms of other issues and can largely affect everyday life. Knowing and understanding the symptoms of constantly shaking hands can be important for treatment.

What are Hand Tremors?

Involuntary and rhythmic shaking of the hands is known as hand tremors. Tremors can be so mild that no one notices, or so severe that they are incapable of performing tasks like eating, drinking, or writing.

Tremors can occur while hands are relaxed, while holding something, or even when moving. The pattern, frequency, and timing of tremors can help a physician in identifying the cause.

What Are Some Common Causes of Hand Tremors?

Not all hand tremors are a symptom of a serious health condition. Handshakes can happen due to a number of everyday reasons.

Temporary causes of tremors can include the following:

• Extreme anxiety or stress
• Consuming too much caffeine
• Not getting enough sleep
• Having low blood sugar
• Physical fatigue
• Certain types of medication
• Withdrawing from alcohol

Most of the time, tremors will go away when the cause is dealt with, and will usually go away after cutting back on caffeine and getting enough rest.

However, you should be concerned if the tremors don’t go away after a few weeks.

When Should You Worry About Hand Tremors

Most of the time, a tremor is only concerning when it starts to affect your daily activities or when it occurs along with other neurologic symptoms. Hand tremors that worsen over time may represent a neurologic condition that affects the area of the brain which controls movement.

Other concerning symptoms include:

• Tremor worsening over time
• Trouble holding or picking up items, or writing
• Tremors that start even while you are not using your hands
• Movements are becoming slower
• Muscles feeling stiff
• Trouble controlling balance, causing falls
• Trouble talking, or talking slower
• Trouble controlling hands

If you start to experience any of these along with hand tremors, it is time to go to a doctor.

What are Some Neurologic Conditions that Cause Hand Tremors

Essential Tremor

One of the more common neurologic conditions that causes hand tremors is called essential tremor. This usually occurs when one is engaged in activities such as eating, writing, or holding something.

The cause of this condition is often unknown, and it often runs in families. This condition will often continue to worsen as one gets older, which can have negative effects on one’s confidence and their social life.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Tremors that are present in both hands
• Tremors that occur during activities
• Tremors of the head or voice in some
• Symptoms worsen during stressful times or when one is getting tired

While essential tremor is not considered dangerous, in some cases, it can inhibit one from performing their daily activities.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is another major neurological disorder characterized by shaking. With Parkinson’s, the hands tend to shake when they are not doing anything or resting.

It is caused by low levels of the brain chemical dopamine, which is essential in regulating and controlling movements.

Parkinson’s disease can also lead to other symptoms, such as:

• Slowness of movement
• Muscle stiffness
• Hunched over body
• Problems with balance
• Less movement in the face

Parkinson’s will tend to develop over time, but will benefit from an early diagnosis.

Multiple Sclerosis

Another disease that can lead to tremors is None other than Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS disrupts the protective covering around the nerves.

Those with MS will also tend to have other symptoms such as:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Problems with vision
• Fatigue
• Problems with walking

Stroke or Brain Injury

Tremors can also develop when one has a stroke or gets a brain injury. This leads to a brain injury that disrupts the brain’s ability to control and coordinate movements.

These conditions are serious and need medical attention.

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention

Mild shaking of the hands can tend to be harmless and is common, but many people have symptoms that are serious and should not be dismissed.

Visit the neurologist if:

• Tremors last a long time
• There is severe shaking
• Daily tasks are difficult
• There is weakness or stiffness with the shaking
• There is a neurological disorder in the family
• Tremors have just recently developed

Having an early diagnosis will benefit treatment and great outcomes, and can also prevent other conditions from further progressing.

How are hand tremors diagnosed?

The diagnosis of tremors is a complicated process. There are many conditions with visible shaking or passing symptoms, so neurologists will tend to take a deep dive and evaluate the symptoms thoroughly.

Physical and Neurological Examination

A doctor focuses on:

• Strength of muscles
• Coordination
• Reflexes
• Patterns of walking
• Balance and posture

The doctor will also look to see if the tremor is resting or active.

Blood Tests

Blood tests could help pinpoint:

• Thyroid issues
• Lack of certain vitamins
• Metabolism problems

Brain Imaging

Brain injuries and problems can be assessed with an MRI or CT.

Other Neurological Tests

Sometimes other specialized tests are needed to eliminate the possibility of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.

Treatment For Hand Tremors

The optimal treatment for hand tremors is individualized and depends on both the cause and how bad the symptoms are.

Lifestyle Choices

Some of the most impactful lifestyle changes and fixes for tremors can include:

• Increased sleep
• Less stress
• Less caffeine
• More movement
• More healthy food and choices

Meds

Some doctors might prescribe medications for tremors due to either essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease.

Therapies

Treatment and therapies may include:

• More movement
• Easier daily tasks
• More coordination
• DBS and MR-focused ultrasound are all advanced treatments that may be necessary

Conclusion

Tremors of the hands are very common and are not always symptoms of a disease with more serious concerns, even more so with tremors that happen frequently and with more concern for symptoms of stiffness, slower movements, and problems with balance. Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors are other diseases and disorders that can be diagnosed with more concern, and are more of a disease when diagnosed and when symptoms are more and of more concern, due to all the control and management options for a wide range of issues, symptoms, and management control of health for both you and your loved ones and for a higher and more concerned quality of life. Always take the time to regularly seek medical attention and consultation whenever needed to gain a higher and more concerned quality of life through proper management and control.

FAQs

1. Do hand tremors have to be neurological?
No, they don’t have to be. Temporary hand tremors can be caused by stress, caffeine, poor sleep, or anxiety.

2. How do essential tremors compare to those of Parkinson’s?
Unlike essential tremors, which primarily occur during movement, hand tremors associated with Parkinson’s often occur at rest.

3. Are there any solutions for hand tremors?
Definitely, hand tremors can be managed or eliminated with lifestyle changes, therapy, medications, or advanced procedures.