Everyone, from children to the elderly, can experience trembling hands, generally due to fatigue, cold, anger, or fear. However, these complaints should not be underestimated if they occur frequently or are accompanied by other symptoms.
Older people often experience trembling hands, for example when pouring drinks or want to reach certain objects. These symptoms can indeed be a sign of natural aging that occurs normally.
But on the other hand, shaking hands risks becoming an early symptom of a more dangerous disease. In severe cases, shaking hands can be a sign of nerve disorders related to degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.
Trembling hands are generally caused by a disturbance in the brain that controls body movements. This unconscious and unwanted movement can be mild or severe, temporary or chronic, depending on the underlying cause.
The danger behind trembling hands
A shaking hand that is persistent, or often felt may indicate a certain disease or condition, such as:
- Essential tremor, which is trembling on the part of the body when trying to move. Tremors in the hands generally occur in the hands that are often used, but can also occur in both. This condition is not yet known the cause and treatment.
- Parkinson's disease, which is a chronic disease that interferes with brain function and coordinates body movements. Tremors in Parkinson's disease actually occur when the patient is silent or when the muscles are not being used, and decreases when the patient moves.
- Convulsions.
- Dystonia.
- Low blood sugar levels.
- Overactive thyroid gland.
- Multiple sclerosis, which is a disorder of the nervous system, brain, and spine, which affects body movement.
- Stroke.
- Peripheral neuropathy, which is damage to the peripheral nervous system.
- Brain tumor.
- Huntington's Disease.
- Poisoning of certain substances, such as mercury, carbon monoxide, and manganese.
- Excess consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
- Side effects of consuming certain drugs, such as antipsychotic drugs, asthma drugs, amphetamines, and corticosteroids.
Although trembling hands in Parkinson's disease have distinctive properties that can be distinguished from essential tremor, the symptoms of both diseases can worsen over time if not treated immediately.
Apart from the hands, sufferers of essential tremor can experience tremors in other limbs, such as on the eyelids, lips, head, arms, or vocal cords. This essential tremor can be genetic.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Shaking Hands
Symptoms of a shaking hand that is mild, or not caused by a disease, can generally improve on its own. This applies to trembling hands due to stress, cold, fatigue, or consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
Complaints of shaking hands need to be watched out and consult a doctor immediately if:
- Getting worse, even while resting.
- Prolonged, severe, or already very disturbing daily activities.
- Accompanied by other symptoms, such as weakness, headaches, abnormal tongue movements, muscles become stiff, or movements that can not be controlled.
To confirm the diagnosis and look for the cause, the doctor will conduct a physical examination accompanied by support, such as blood and urine tests, CT scan, MRI, electromyography or EMG (examination of muscle nerves), and EEG (electrical examination of the brain).
After the diagnosis of shaking hands is determined, the doctor will provide treatment according to the cause. Meanwhile, to alleviate complaints of shaking or tremors in the hands, doctors can give beta-blockers propanolol, anticonvulsants, sedatives, or botox injections. If the complaint does not improve with treatment, the doctor may suggest surgery.
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