14 Causes of Shaking Hands (Hand Tremors)

What are Hand Tremors?

Hand tremor is the medical name for trembling hands or hands that shake uncontrollably. Hand tremors could be a sign of a physical ailment or a mental condition.

Your hands may tremble briefly if you experience anxiety or stress. If your hand or hands start to shake frequently, you should consult a doctor. Depending on the underlying reason for the shaking, a treatment option may be offered.

 Symptoms of Hand Tremors

Hand tremors can happen when at rest, such as those of (Parkinson's disease. They may also happen when you are doing certain activities. Signs of hand tremors that accompany activity are described as follows:

• Postural Tremor: Hands shake involuntarily when extended.
• Intentional Tremor: Hands shake when you reach toward a target (i.e., keyhole to unlock your door).
• Task-specific Tremor: Hands shake as you engage in a task (i.e., writing).

Causes of Hand Tremors

Tremors can occur naturally or as a result of taking certain medications, having a neurological disorder, or other health issues. Here are a few potential tremor triggers:

•  Enhanced Physiological Tremor

An even more pronounced type of physiologic tremor is called enhanced physiologic tremor (EPT), which typically affects the hands and fingers. EPT in some persons may result from the following:

• Stress and anxiety
• Fatigue or Sleep deprivation
• Consuming too much caffeine
• Intense exercise

Except in cases when a person's job or other activities depend on fine motor coordination, enhanced physiological tremor does not require medical attention.

•  Neurological Conditions

Generally, a problem in the deep regions of the brain that regulate movement is the cause of tremors. The following neurological disorders can result in trembling hands:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS): The brain and spinal cord are both affected by this degenerative condition, which makes it challenging for the nerves to transmit information. A lot of MS sufferers tremble to some extent when a disease affects the pathways of the central nervous system that control movement.
• Parkinson's disease (PD): This condition results in the death of nerve cells in a region of the brain important for motor movement. Most persons with PD experience tremors, whether they are resting, active, or mixed. When under stress or experiencing powerful emotions, shaking may become more noticeable.
• Stroke-induced Tremors: Depending on the location that was affected, a person may have different tremors after having a stroke. Resting tremors are brought on by damage to the basal ganglia, whereas intention tremors are brought on by damage to the cerebellum.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Post-traumatic tremor (PTT) is the term used to describe tremor caused by a TBI. PTT results from injury to particular brain regions in charge of the movement. These vibrations are not typical.
• Dystonia: Dystonia is a movement disorder in which uncontrollable muscle contractions lead to unnatural, repeated postures and movements due to the brain's basal ganglia malfunctioning.