Medical Health Encyclopedia

Hand tremor

Common Causes:

Tremors may be caused by:

• Too much coffee or other caffeinated drink
• Excessive alcohol consumption, alcoholism, or alcohol withdrawal
• Stress, anxiety, or fatigue -- these can cause a postural tremor
• Normal aging
• A variety of drugs and prescription medicines
• Low blood sugar
• Parkinson's disease -- this is the classic cause of a resting tremor and is often accompanied by slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, and an abnormal gait
• Multiple sclerosis -- can cause an intention tremor
• Over active thyroid -- can cause a postural tremor

References:

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Louis ED. Essential tremor. Lancet Neurol. 2005; 4(2): 100-110.

Louis ED, Ford B, Frucht S, Rabinowitz D, Ottman R. Evidence for familial aggregation of tremor in normal individuals. Neurology. 2001; 57(1): 110-114.

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