Trembling is the involuntary, rhythmic shaking of one or more parts of the body.
This article discusses tremblingwhat can cause this symptom, treatment for underlying causes, and how trembling is diagnosed.
Symptoms can be constant or come and go, depending on the underlying cause.
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For this reason, tremors are categorized as resting or active.
Tremors that occur when the muscles are relaxed are called resting tremors.
These typically show up as shaking hands, arms, or legs.
For example,Parkinson’s diseasecauses a resting tremor that affects the fingers.
Active tremors occur when a person is trying to perform a task, contracting the muscles purposefully.
These include:
Causes of Trembling
Trembling can occur temporarily or long term.
In addition to body shakes, trembling can also affect the voice.
Temporary trembling can result from:
Trembling can also result from neurological diseases.
Examples include:
Medications and Trembling
A variety of medications can lead to trembling.
When medication is the source, trembling typically affects both sides of the body equally.
In some situationssuch as excessive caffeine intake or alcohol withdrawalsymptoms can resolve on their own.
Trembling due to medications can sometimes be treated by switching to a different medication.
However, this is a decision that your healthcare provider needs to make.
Sometimes, the benefits of a particular drug outweigh the uncomfortable side effects.
These include:
For more severe cases, trembling can be treated withdeep brain stimulation (DBS).
Rehabilitative therapies, includingphysical, occupational, andspeech therapy, can help improve function negatively impacted by tremors.
Are There Tests to Diagnose Trembling?
Your healthcare provider can identify tremors by asking questions and observing your symptoms.
However, diagnosing underlying health conditions requires additional testing.
Blood work is often done as one of the first steps in diagnosing conditions that can cause tremors.
Imaging is also performed to help diagnose neurological diseases that can cause trembling.
Your healthcare provider can often diagnose trembling by asking questions and observing your symptoms.
Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.
American Parkinson Disease Association.Other causes of tremor besides Parkinson’s disease.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Functional neurologic disorder.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Traumatic brain injury.
Harvard Health Publishing.Essential tremor.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures.
