Tremor

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Muscular atrophy

A tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in your hands and arms, but it may affect any body part (even your head or voice).

There are three main types of tremors:

• Resting (or static) tremors: These tremors are present when your muscles are resting. The tremor may go away or become less noticeable when you move muscles that are involved.
• Intention (or kinetic): These tremors occur at the end of a purposeful (intended) movement, such as writing, pressing a button, or reaching for an object. The tremor will often disappear while the affected body part is at rest.
• Postural or action tremors occur when you are holding your arm or leg in one position for a period of time against gravity. This may happen when you are writing, holding a cup, holding your arms out, or when you stand up straight.

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See also: Essential tremor

Tremor - hand; Hand tremor; Tremor - arms; Kinetic tremor; Intention tremor; Postural tremor

Tremors can happen at any age but tend to be more common in older people. Everyone has some tremor when they move their hands. Stress, fatigue, anger, fear, caffeine, and cigarettes may temporarily make this type of tremor worse.

However, a tremor that does not go away over time may be a sign of an underlying medical problem and should be evaluated. You may learn that your tremor is perfectly normal, but eliminating medical reasons for the shaking is important.

Essential tremor is the most common tremor. It is rarely seen when the hands are not being used. It becomes most apparent when you are trying to do something, such as reaching for an object or writing. It is not caused by an underlying disease. This type of tremor may also run in families.

Tremor may be caused by:

• A variety of drugs and prescription medicines
• Brain, nerve, or movement disorders, including dystonia and certain inherited peripheral neuropathies (such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease)
• Brain tumor
• Excessive alcohol consumption, alcoholism, or alcohol withdrawal
• Low blood sugar
• Multiple sclerosis -- can cause an intention tremor
• Muscle tiredness or weakness
• Normal aging
• Overactive thyroid -- can cause a postural tremor
• Parkinson's disease -- a classic cause of a resting tremor that is often accompanied by slowness of movement, muscle rigidity , and an abnormal gait
• Stress, anxiety, or fatigue can cause a postural tremor
• Stroke
• Too much coffee or other caffeinated drink

Review Date: 03/31/2011
Reviewed By: Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).