Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTypes of Hand TremorsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Types of Hand Tremors
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to Seek Medical Care
Hand tremors(shaky hands) can happen in anyone. All people have tiny tremors, and they can increase withcaffeine sensitivity, medication use, or an emotional cause likeanxiety, but they’re not typically noticeable and aren’t part of another diagnosis.
However, the symptom of shaking hands occurs in a number of health conditions. One type of involuntary shaking, calledessential tremor, is the most common.In some cases, tremors occur at rest; in others, the shaking occurs with activity. Hand tremors can be due to a metabolic condition as basic asvitamin B12 deficiencyor as rare as the genetic disorder calledWilson’s disease.
This article presents causes of hand tremors such asParkinson’s diseaseor hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). It explains shaking hands and related symptoms, possible treatments and at-home care, and when you should seek medical attention.
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Symptoms of Shaking Hands
Involuntary shaking can affect one or both hands. This symptom typically comes and goes, or in some medical conditions remains constant. Shaky hands can be associated with stress and anxiety, even when it occurs due to a physical disorder and not as part of a mental health condition.
Hand tremors can look and feel like:
If you experience episodic shaking of your hand or hands, it’s important to note the triggers that cause it. Describing the pattern to a healthcare provider can help them determine the type of tremor, which narrows down the cause.
Shaking Hands and Related Symptoms
Feeling overwhelmed, tired, upset, or scared also can occur with hand tremors that are related to a medical cause but worsen with emotional upset.
Tremors commonly affect the hands, but they also can occur in the head, leg, and other body parts. Vocal tremors, for example, lead to trembling of the voice because they affect muscles that control the throat, larynx (voicebox), and vocal cords.
Beyond the two categories of activity or at rest, types of tremors are defined as:
People who are experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawal may experience hand tremors. Certain medications, includingWellbutrin(bupropion hydrochloride) can cause your hands to shake, too.
Types of Tremors, Causes, and Treatment Options
Causes of Shaking Hands
In addition to those discussed, common causes of shaking hands include:
These conditions each affects the hands differently, which may lead to shaking.
Hand Tremors in KidsChildren can experience hand shaking, too, and the symptom should be considered serious with a referral to a neurologist. Genetic factors, nutritional problems, and lead poisoning are just a few possible causes. It’s also common in kids with traumatic brain injuries.
Hand Tremors in Kids
Children can experience hand shaking, too, and the symptom should be considered serious with a referral to a neurologist. Genetic factors, nutritional problems, and lead poisoning are just a few possible causes. It’s also common in kids with traumatic brain injuries.
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How to Treat Shaking Hands
The treatment for shaky hands depends on the condition that is causing it. For some people, it may be as simple as cutting back on caffeine, getting enough rest, or tryingstress therapyto learn management techniques.
Other treatments may be needed for a specific and reversible cause, like administering intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration or balancing glucose levels in diabetes. Medication or surgical intervention can manage a musculoskeletal disorder, such ascarpal tunnel syndromeor arthritis.
However, tremors due to stroke or brain tumors (or a neurodegenerative or autoimmune disease like MS) are not typically reversible.Other treatments often are necessary.
Medications
Certain medications are used to treat the underlying causes of hand tremors. They include:
Surgeries
Surgeries and procedures that may be used to treat some causes of hand tremor can include:
Lifestyle Changes
For people with hand tremors, physical therapy may be helpful along with other lifestyle changes. They can include adaptations in the household (like changing storage space), wearing different clothes and shoes, and using special utensils to make meals safer and easier.
More than one treatment may be necessary when dealing with hand tremors. A combination of treatments can often be more effective than trying only one approach. For example, physical therapy, counseling, and medication can be more effective for managing anxiety-induced shaky hands than one treatment alone.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Shaking Hands?
In general, the cause of shaking hands is diagnosed based on a medical history and physical examination.
Sometimes anxiety disorders can be difficult to identify, especially when you are experiencing physical signs of anxiety without recognizing and acknowledging those feelings. In some situations, it can take several medical visits and discussions to establish that anxiety is a cause of shaking hands.
A physical examination can identify other signs indicating conditions associated with shaky hands. For example, MS often causes changes in reflexes, sensation, and motor strength. Parkinson’s disease typically causes a pattern of motor stiffness.
Diagnostic testing can also be a part of this process. Diagnostic tests would be ordered based on a symptom history and a physical examination.
Some tests that might help determine medical causes of shaking hands can include:
Identifying the situation or trigger leading to shaky hands is usually the most important factor in pinpointing the underlying cause.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Shaky hands can be disruptive, may interfere with your day-to-day life, and can be upsetting. Furthermore, shaky hands can be a sign of a medical condition that requires treatment.
It’s important to make an appointment to see a healthcare provider if you have recurrent episodes of shaky hands.
Get prompt medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms along with your shaking hands:
Additionally, if you are concerned or if your hand shaking is severe, persistent, or continuous, you should seek medical attention.
Whether a physical condition or a mental health condition like anxiety causing your shaky hands, you deserve to get professional attention and therapy.
Summary
Shaking hands can be a sign of many different medical and psychological conditions. You may experience shaking of one or both hands, and it can occur frequently, or it may only happen in certain situations.
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7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Tremor: Sorting Through the Differential Diagnosis.Roth N, Rosenblum S.Does cup-grip type affect tremor among people with essential tremor?Sensors(Basel). 2021;21(23):7797. doi:10.3390/s21237797Harvard Health Publishing.What’s Causing Your Shaky Hands?UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal Tremor.National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.Xie T, Padmanaban M, Javed A, Satzer D, Towle TE, Warnke P, Towle VL.Effect of deep brain stimulation on cerebellar tremor compared to non-cerebellar tremor using a wearable device in a patient with multiple sclerosis: case report.Front Hum Neurosci.2022;15:754091. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.754091Liao YH, Hong CT, Huang TW.Botulinum toxin for essential tremor and hands tremor in the neurological diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Toxins(Basel). 2022;14(3):203. doi:10.3390/toxins14030203
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Tremor: Sorting Through the Differential Diagnosis.Roth N, Rosenblum S.Does cup-grip type affect tremor among people with essential tremor?Sensors(Basel). 2021;21(23):7797. doi:10.3390/s21237797Harvard Health Publishing.What’s Causing Your Shaky Hands?UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal Tremor.National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.Xie T, Padmanaban M, Javed A, Satzer D, Towle TE, Warnke P, Towle VL.Effect of deep brain stimulation on cerebellar tremor compared to non-cerebellar tremor using a wearable device in a patient with multiple sclerosis: case report.Front Hum Neurosci.2022;15:754091. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.754091Liao YH, Hong CT, Huang TW.Botulinum toxin for essential tremor and hands tremor in the neurological diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Toxins(Basel). 2022;14(3):203. doi:10.3390/toxins14030203
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Tremor: Sorting Through the Differential Diagnosis.Roth N, Rosenblum S.Does cup-grip type affect tremor among people with essential tremor?Sensors(Basel). 2021;21(23):7797. doi:10.3390/s21237797Harvard Health Publishing.What’s Causing Your Shaky Hands?UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal Tremor.National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.Xie T, Padmanaban M, Javed A, Satzer D, Towle TE, Warnke P, Towle VL.Effect of deep brain stimulation on cerebellar tremor compared to non-cerebellar tremor using a wearable device in a patient with multiple sclerosis: case report.Front Hum Neurosci.2022;15:754091. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.754091Liao YH, Hong CT, Huang TW.Botulinum toxin for essential tremor and hands tremor in the neurological diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Toxins(Basel). 2022;14(3):203. doi:10.3390/toxins14030203
American Academy of Family Physicians.Tremor: Sorting Through the Differential Diagnosis.
Roth N, Rosenblum S.Does cup-grip type affect tremor among people with essential tremor?Sensors(Basel). 2021;21(23):7797. doi:10.3390/s21237797
Harvard Health Publishing.What’s Causing Your Shaky Hands?
UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal Tremor.
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.
Xie T, Padmanaban M, Javed A, Satzer D, Towle TE, Warnke P, Towle VL.Effect of deep brain stimulation on cerebellar tremor compared to non-cerebellar tremor using a wearable device in a patient with multiple sclerosis: case report.Front Hum Neurosci.2022;15:754091. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.754091
Liao YH, Hong CT, Huang TW.Botulinum toxin for essential tremor and hands tremor in the neurological diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Toxins(Basel). 2022;14(3):203. doi:10.3390/toxins14030203
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