The most common causes of hand tremors are excessive consumption of caffeine, stress, fatigue, and physical activity. Hand tremors can be annoying, disabling, or significantly limit the functionality of the patient, depending on circumstances and other factors. However, there are other causes of this condition as well. Nevertheless, some of the causes of shaking can be managed on our own, while others require a medical evaluation to determine the exact cause and get an appropriate treatment; it is critical to know the potential reasons for your hand tremors in order to know how to treat them.

What Is a Hand Tremor?

A tremor is an involuntary rhythmic movement of one or more body parts that occurs due to periodic muscle contractions and relaxations. Most commonly it affects the upper limbs or fingers; however, it can also spread to the lower limbs, and less often – to the head or vocal cords. A tremor may be present at rest or may occur during an intentional movement or a particular motor task.

However, two types of tremors help distinguish between different conditions.

• Resting Tremors: It occurs as a person sits with the hands resting on the knees,
• while action tremors happen when there is activity like picking up a teacup or when muscles are strained. Moreover, each of these types of tremors has characteristic accompanying symptoms that help determine the cause of shaking.

Common Causes of Hand Tremors

1. Essential tremor

It is a common neurological disorder that leads to involuntary shaking of the hands. The shaking is usually symmetrical and occurs mostly while performing motor tasks.

Symptoms of essential tremor:

• shaking hands when holding something or writing
• trembling of the upper extremities when grasping the handle of a teacup or utensils
• tremors become more obvious when stressed or fatigued
• shaking subsides when drinking alcohol
• genetic predisposition, advancing age

2. Anxiety and stress

Triggers for anxiety-induced hand shaking include:

• public speaking
• job interviews
• exams
• emotional trauma
• panic attacks

3. Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar levels can lead to hypoglycemia, resulting in hand shaking, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat in the patient. This condition is caused by reduced glucose levels in the blood. In addition, hypoglycemia may be provoked in diabetic patients after an insulin injection or a decrease in blood sugar levels.=

Symptoms:

• shaking hands
• excessive sweating
• hunger
• dizziness
• rapid heartbeat
• confusion

4. Parkinson’s disease

It is a degenerative neurological disorder that causes tremors of the upper and lower extremities, usually asymmetrically. Other symptoms include decreased motor skill, muscle rigidity, impaired coordination, decreased size of handwriting, and a mask-like face. The Parkinson’s tremors are described as pill-rolling of the thumb and index finger.

5. Hyperthyroidism

This is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland becomes overactive. This leads to the production of too much thyroid hormone, hence increased metabolism in the body. One of the symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism is fine tremors or shaking of the hands. Other symptoms include weight loss, heart pounding rapidly, excessive sweating, and anxiety.

6. Medication side effects

can include hand trembling as a symptom. Some medications that can cause shaking include:

• asthma inhalers
• antidepressants
• steroids
• certain psychiatric drugs
• specific antiepileptic medications

Before discontinuing the medication, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

7. Sleep deprivation

can lead to impaired central nervous system functions, resulting in hand shaking.

8. Alcohol withdrawal

It may lead to hand shaking and other withdrawal effects. Some of the signs that are manifested during withdrawal from alcohol are shaking, anxiety, sweating, vomiting, and heart rate. One should turn to a health care provider during withdrawal to make it appropriate and controlled.

9. Nutritional deficiencies

can also be a reason for shaking hands. Deficiencies of:

• vitamin B12
• vitamin B1
• magnesium

can lead to impaired nerve conduction and the development of tremors.

Less Common Causes

• multiple sclerosis
• strokes
• head injuries
• Wilson’s disease
• peripheral neuropathy
• hepatitis or kidney disease
• metal poisoning

Symptoms Often Seen With Hand Shake

Depending on the underlying cause, hand tremors are often accompanied by several other characteristic symptoms, including:

• weakness of the upper extremities
• inability to write
• inability to button up
• coordination problems
• slurred speech
• numbness
• tingling
• dizziness
• fatigue
• unintentional weight loss or gain
• problems with balance

The presence of some of the symptoms above may help determine the cause of the hand tremors.

How Doctors Diagnose Hand Tremors

• In order to establish the cause of hand tremors, a physician will perform an interview and physical examination. The doctor’s questions will include:
• When did the shaking start?
• Is it the left or right hand, or both?
• Is it evident at rest or occurs when you move?

Following the interview and examination, the doctor may recommend tests:

• nerve tests,
• MRI or CT scan of the brain,
• and electromyography.

Treatment Options

The treatment of hand tremors is individual for each patient, and the most effective therapy is selected based on the underlying cause.

Medication

It can also help reduce or eliminate some tremors. To do this, the doctor may prescribe drugs:

• beta-adrenergic blockers,
• anti-epileptic,

to lower the excitability of neurons in the central nervous system.

If the cause of the shaking is the reduced function of the thyroid gland, then hormone replacement therapy is indicated. For the treatment of other diseases, specific drugs are prescribed, for example, for Parkinson’s disease – levodopa preparations.

Physiotherapy and speech therapy

allow the patient to learn new ways of movement and communication. The doctor may prescribe procedures to improve coordination and prescribe orthopedic instruments to make it easier to hold utensils or write.

Surgical treatment

It can be beneficial for severe cases of shaking that are affecting daily activities. Surgery may be an option for reducing shaking that isn’t under control with medication or causes uncomfortable side effects. One such surgery for reducing tremors caused by essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease is deep brain stimulation.=

Hand Tremors Prevention

Hand tremors can often be prevented. To do this, it is necessary to exclude from the diet those substances that have a stimulating effect on the human body. In addition, it is necessary to relieve the body from physical and mental overload, normalize sleep, provide the body with vitamins and minerals, and get rid of bad habits.

Conclusion

Hand tremors can have different causes, from a mild, short-term condition that disappears when the cause is eliminated (for example, after drinking coffee), to a chronic disease of the central nervous system that requires long-term treatment. Although intermittent hand tremors are not dangerous, if you find that you have shaking that cannot be controlled or that occurs continuously, it is necessary to consult a doctor to establish the cause of the shaking and determine the treatment strategy.

FAQs

1. Can anxiety cause hand tremors?

A: Yes, anxiety can cause hand tremors. Anxiety can cause your body to release certain chemicals that put it in a “fight or flight” mode. Managing anxiety-induced hand tremors can be done by reducing stress and taking care of yourself.

2. How are hand tremors diagnosed?

A: To diagnose hand tremors, your physician may ask you to complete a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor may also request blood tests and other diagnostic procedures to assess your thyroid function, blood sugar levels, vitamin levels, and brain health.

3. Can hand tremors be cured or treated?

A: Hand tremors can often be treated depending on what is causing them. In some cases, it can be as simple as limiting caffeine intake, but in other cases, medication and other medical procedures may be necessary. The best way to know is to consult with a medical professional about your options.