15 Reasaons your hands maybe shaking
Trembling hands are unpleasant and
inconvenient, often causing concern that something may be wrong with our
bodies or that it might be a symptom of a serious issue. The truth is,
anyone can suffer from hand tremors at any age due to non-threatening
causes such as stress, fatigue, or excessive caffeine intake. However,
it can also indicate a problem that requires medical attention. Tremors
can intensify and make daily tasks difficult, necessitating a prompt
identification and treatment of the cause. This is essential not only to
stop the tremors and regain control of our hands but also to maintain
overall health. If you suffer from hand tremors, here are 15 possible
causes to consider:
1. Essential Tremor (AKA benign tremor,
familial tremor or idiopathic tremor)
This is the most common reason why many people cannot hold a cup of
coffee without their hand shaking. The tremor begins when the hand is in
use but stops when the hand is at rest. The cause is not entirely
clear, but experts believe it to be genetic. If your symptoms are mild,
there's no need for concern. However, if the tremor interferes with
daily activities, treatments such as medication, occupational therapy,
or surgery might help.
2. Excessive Caffeine
Do you need your morning coffee to start the day? How about the coffee
at 10:00, after lunch, and in the evening? That's a lot of coffee and,
consequently, a lot of caffeine, which can cause hand tremors if
consumed excessively. Note that caffeine is also present in other items
you may consume, including headache medications, chocolate, and soft
drinks. So even if you don't drink many cups of coffee a day, be mindful
of your total caffeine intake.
3. Certain Medications
As mentioned, some medications contain caffeine, which might contribute
to your hand tremors. Additionally, some medications have side effects
that include tremors. These typically include mood-altering drugs,
migraine reducers, asthma treatments, or neuropathic pain medications,
and sometimes antihistamines. Check the leaflet of any medication you're
taking to see if hand tremors are listed as a side effect.
4. Lack of Sleep
You can't expect your body to function properly without adequate rest.
Hand tremors due to lack of sleep are a signal from your brain that you
need to rest. Fortunately, if you provide your body with the necessary
sleep, this issue should resolve. Try taking a nap to see if it stops
the tremors.
5. Parkinson's Disease
Here we move into more serious causes. Hand tremors caused by
Parkinson's disease occur when the brain cells linked to muscle movement
are damaged. The tremor usually starts in one hand and spreads to the
other over time. Besides hand tremors, you might also experience slower
movement, balance issues, or stiffness in the arms and legs. Treatment
is typically medicinal, but surgery can also help improve hand control.
6. Multiple Sclerosis
This disease damages the fatty and insulating coating of nerves called
myelin. This disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses between nerve
cells, with hand tremors or tremors in other body parts being a primary
symptom. Treatment involves medication, and occupational therapy can
help you better manage the symptoms.
7. Hyperthyroidism
Hand tremors can indicate thyroid issues, particularly hyperthyroidism.
This means your thyroid gland is overactive, leading to many other
unpleasant symptoms. Besides tremors, you might notice weight loss
(without trying), sensitivity to bright light, rapid heartbeat, and
sleep problems. A simple blood test can diagnose this, so don't delay if
you suspect thyroid issues.
8. Low Blood Sugar
Your body needs sugar, which is transported throughout via the
bloodstream. If your blood sugar is low, your hands may start to
tremble. Eating something sweet can stop these tremors. Note that
consistently low blood sugar levels can indicate diabetes, excessive
alcohol consumption, or poor diet. Some medications can also cause this.
If it happens frequently, see a doctor to determine the cause.
9. Stress
Are you facing a stressful task, like public speaking, or watching a
scary movie? Any stressor can accelerate your heartbeat and cause hand
tremors, but these symptoms should disappear once the stressor is gone.
Try relaxation techniques to reduce the stress and associated tremors.
10. Smoking
If you thought smoking to cope with stress would help you stop the
tremors, think again. Smoking can actually worsen the tremors because it
increases your heart rate, causing your hands to shake. If you're
looking to calm down and stop the tremors, cigarettes are not the
solution.
11. Alcohol Withdrawal
A glass of wine each evening doesn’t make you an alcoholic and won’t
cause serious issues like tremors. However, if you suffer from alcohol
addiction and stop drinking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, one
of which is hand tremors. This begins about 10 hours after the last
drink and can last for weeks, so you might not connect the tremors to
alcohol withdrawal, but they are likely related.
12. Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 plays a significant role in maintaining the health of the
nervous system. Vegetarians or vegans are at a higher risk of deficiency
in this essential vitamin, and some medications can also affect its
levels in your body. Besides hand tremors, you might feel tingling in
your legs. If this happens, a blood test can confirm your vitamin levels
and determine if you need supplements.
13. Pheochromocytoma
This long word describes a rare tumor that can develop in the adrenal
gland. Although usually benign, it secretes an excessive amount of
adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood, affecting the heartbeat and
raising blood pressure. This leads not only to hand tremors but also to
headaches, excessive sweating, and shortness of breath. Ultimately, the
tumor can cause heart disease and stroke, so it should be surgically
removed.
14. Liver Problems
Hand tremors are a very common symptom of liver issues, an organ that
detoxifies the body. When the liver fails to perform its function
properly for any reason, toxins build up in the body, which can cause
hand tremors. These tremors can become jerky and involuntary, similar to
a bird flapping its wings, indicating hepatic encephalopathy – a
condition resulting from liver failure due to chronic liver disease.
15. Brain Injury
If you've had a stroke or suffered a head injury that affected the
brain, it can certainly cause chronic hand tremors. To address this
issue, see a doctor who can prescribe suitable medications or refer you
to occupational therapy. In such a case, it’s essential to avoid the
controllable causes of hand tremors, like caffeine and nicotine, as they
can easily worsen your symptoms.