Hand Tremors: A Wobbly Situation Worth Gripping

Do your hands tend to shake at the most crucial moments? Or maybe you've found yourself joking about your inability to keep them still. You're not alone if using a pen feels challenging because of shaky hands. Hand tremors are involuntary movements that are often beyond our control. While common and usually harmless, they can interfere with daily tasks requiring precision. The causes of these tremors can vary, but understanding them better can help you manage and reduce their impact on your life.

Hand tremors can manifest in various ways, each with unique characteristics and triggers. Understanding the different types of tremors can help you identify their causes and manage them effectively:

• Postural tremors: These hand tremors start when one assumes a posture, such as outstretching one's hands over the head.
• Intention tremors: These arise when reaching for a target, like inserting a key into a keyhole.
• Task-specific tremors: These occur during specific tasks, such as writing.

Most people may have experienced hand tremors, especially when excited, known as physiological tremors. However, these hand tremors sometimes signal an underlying cause that requires attention and proper treatment. Let’s explore the potential causes of hand tremors:

• Essential tremor

In cases of essential tremors, individuals often experience frequent handshaking that typically worsens with movement. This may result in a postural hand tremor, an intentional tremor, or both. Tremors are often more noticeable in the dominant hand but can affect the other hand or even other body areas. “Research indicates that essential tremor may be hereditary, with various genes linked to the disorder. Nonetheless, having a family history of essential tremor does not guarantee that an individual will develop it, nor does the presence of essential tremor necessarily imply a family history of the disorder,” says Dr Vinit Suri, MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DM - Neurology, Delhi.

• Enhanced Physiologic Tremor

Triggers such as excessive caffeine, stress or anxiety, sleep deprivation, fatigue, or an overactive thyroid can intensify physiological tremors, often manifesting as hand tremors.

• Drug-induced tremors

Certain prescription medications that block dopamine in the brain can cause hand tremors as a side effect.

• Neurological disorders

Hand tremors may occur as a symptom of neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease can cause resting tremors in the hand that disappear with movement. Brain injuries, or conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebellar dysfunction, can also lead to tremors in the hands and other body areas, depending on the affected region.

• Low blood sugar

A sudden dip in blood sugar levels can trigger the body's stress response, leading to feelings of shakiness or tremors.

• Alcohol withdrawal

In people with alcohol dependency, abstaining from alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including shaky hands or tremors.

Seek medical advice if you’ve suddenly developed hand tremors or if they’ve worsened over time, affecting your work or daily life. Your doctor will ask detailed questions about whether your hand tremors follow a specific pattern or show any variations. A thorough medical history will be taken, and routine or specialised tests may be recommended as necessary. If an underlying cause is identified for hand tremors, the doctor will suggest appropriate treatment options that might include medical as well as surgical measures. If medication is the culprit behind your hand tremors, an alternative may be considered.

If your test results don’t reveal any concerns, consider yourself fortunate and try these simple lifestyle adjustments to manage your hand tremors:

• Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake.
• Include vitamin B12-rich foods in your regular daily diet.
• Use stress-relief techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing, particularly during episodes of panic or anxiety when hand tremors may worsen.
• Consider physical and occupational therapy to help regain muscle control and adapt to tasks requiring precision, especially if your work involves fine motor skills.

• Swap lightweight items like glasses, cutlery, or plates for heavier versions to enhance stability.
• Use specially designed tools such as pens, pencils, and gardening equipment tailored for hand tremors.
• Use gadgets and apps specifically designed for those with hand tremors or shakes.

Wear wrist weights to help control shakiness in the hands.

Hand tremors or shakes are involuntary movements beyond our control. While they don't always signal an underlying condition, their sudden onset can disrupt daily life or social situations. The causes of hand tremors vary, often requiring medical assessment. Enhanced physiological tremors, which intensify due to factors like excessive caffeine, stress, anxiety, or fatigue, can be managed by avoiding these triggers. Long-term strategies such as stress-relief techniques, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy can help manage these hand tremors.

Most often, shaky hands or tremors are the body’s natural response to physical or mental stress. While they can indicate an underlying neurological condition, this is not always the case.

Understanding and talking about the condition and its causes is the first step. If a loved one experiences hand tremors, avoid drawing attention to it, as it may increase their self-consciousness and worsen the tremors. Be patient, show empathy, and offer help only when they ask.

Many types of surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available, as advised by your doctor, based on the underlying cause of shaky hands or tremors. Simple lifestyle changes could also help control them.

Yes, children can experience shaky hands at any time during childhood and may require medical attention and appropriate treatment.

Hormonal changes, especially those during pregnancy or menopause, may lead to the appearance of hand tremors or shaky hands.