By Dr. Ritez Kumar, General Physician
Tremors in the hands or shaking hands can be a symptom of a variety of ailments and diseases. These hand tremors are also a condition that can stop you from doing various tasks where you will need to use a firm hand. Here are a list of causes and reasons for this condition:
- Neurological disease: Shaking hands and tremors can be one of the earliest symptoms associated with neurological and other degenerative diseases. It is important to contact a doctor if the condition or the symptoms persist for more than a few days, as this can turn into a life threatening condition in the long run. While many people think that only Parkinson’s disease is the root cause of one’s shaking hands, but this is not the truth. In reality, a neurological condition known as essential tremors is behind this symptom too. It is a neurological disorder that affects adults and causes a disruption in the normal functioning of the brain where it specifically affects the cerebellum, as per a number of medical studies.
- Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson’s disease can also be one of the reasons behind shaking hands or hand tremors. This can be seen in people who are aged and have a problem in the way the central nervous system functions. This affects the motor system and causes tremors in the muscles. Yet, when the muscles are at rest completely, the tremors may abate.
- Thyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland can also cause this condition. When the thyroid gland produces excessive amount of thyroid hormones, there are many associated symptoms that can be seen and felt including a hyper active metabolic rate which can lead to weight loss. Hand tremors or shaking hands are also a symptom of this condition.
- Seizures: People who suffer from epileptic and other seizures often complain of shaking hands and other related symptoms as these seizures are usually born from abnormal electrical activity in the brain due to neurological disorders. Convulsions and seizures usually give rise to rapid shaking in the body. Yet, the patient may experience hand tremors at other times as well.
- Substance abuse: Shaking hands may be attributed to substance abuse like excessive use of medications that produce such side effects or the use of other drugs. Too much caffeine consumption can also lead to this problem along with alcohol addiction. In such cases, twitching and tremors are seen on a normal basis. One should seek rehabilitation for recovery from such abuse so that normal day to day functioning may be restored.
- Other causes: Anxiety, Huntington’s disease and low blood sugar may also cause shaking hands in many cases along with many other symptoms.