What Are Possible Causes of Hand Tremors?

Hand tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic tremor that is caused by repeated contraction and relaxation of muscles. Everyone has different degrees of tremor, called physiological tremor, but most tremors are too mild to be noticed. Tremors are classified according to their speed, rhythm, frequency of occurrence, and severity. Exercise tremor occurs when the muscle is active, and rest tremor occurs when the muscle is resting, that is, when the patient is completely relaxed. This type of tremor can be one of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Intentional tremor occurs when a certain position is taken. Idiopathic tremor usually begins in childhood and becomes more pronounced with age. Its cause is unknown. Senile tremor is also an idiopathic tremor that occurs in old age. If a patient with idiopathic tremor has a family history, it is sometimes called familial tremor.

Basic Information

Visiting department

Encephalology

Common locations

Limbs

Common causes

Cerebral arteriosclerosis, brain trauma, hypoparathyroidism, etc.

Common symptoms

Limb flexion, extension, or torsional tremor

Causes of hand tremor

The etiology of idiopathic tremor is unclear. Encephalitis, cerebral arteriosclerosis, brain trauma, hypoparathyroidism, carbon monoxide, manganese, mercury, cyanide, reserpine, phenothiazine poisoning, and antidepressant effects can all cause Parkinson's-like manifestations .

Clinical manifestations of hand tremor

1. Parkinson's syndrome tremor

Is characteristic of the disease's motor involvement. It usually starts with one hand or upper limb, later in the lower limb, and in the opposite side within months or years. The tremor of the hand is usually manifested as the movement of the metacarpophalangeal joint with the thumb, which is called a "pill-like" motion, which is a characteristic manifestation of the tremor of the disease. The most obvious tremor in the lower limbs is the knee joint, which can manifest as flexion and extension-like movements; flexion, extension or torsional tremor can occur in the head. The tremor frequency is 4 to 8 Hz. Tremors occur at rest (resting tremors) and are often temporarily or completely suppressed when the limbs are making autonomous movements.

Senile tremor

Elderly people, unlike Parkinson's syndrome tremor, are relatively small and rapid. They occur during voluntary activities (active tremor). They can also occur at rest after the condition develops. Tremors are most pronounced in the upper limbs, especially in head tremors, which are characterized by rhythmic movements of the head, which can be combined with muscle weakness and muscle rigidity.

3. Benign or idiopathic familial tremor

This type of tremor is an autosomal dominant genetic disease. It usually develops after the age of 20, and the prevalence increases with age. Posture tremor is the only symptom of this disease, and tremor may be systemic; when the hand is involved, it affects fine movements, and when the head is involved, it appears as a small nod or shake. The tremor frequency is 4-8 Hz, the amplitude is indefinite, and it is aggravated during mental stress. The disease progresses slowly without other neurological abnormalities.

4. Flutter-like tremor

Flutter-like tremor often occurs in patients with pulmonary or hepatic encephalopathy.

5. Shake your hands

Patients with hyperthyroidism often experience fine hand tremors.

Hand tremor test

Blood routine, urine routine, stool routine, liver and kidney function, biochemical examination, electromyography, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray examination.

Hand tremor diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on medical history, clinical manifestations, and examinations.

Differential diagnosis of hand tremor

Exercise tremor occurs when the muscle is active, and rest tremor occurs when the muscle is resting, that is, when the patient is completely relaxed. This type of tremor can be one of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Intentional tremor occurs when a certain position is taken. Idiopathic tremor usually begins in childhood and becomes more pronounced with age.

Hand lip tremor: In patients with acute alcoholism, due to heavy drinking at one time, the patient showed a special state of excitement, emotional irritability and instability, increased speech, repetition, exaggerated elements, and sometimes unsatisfactory , Loud abusive, aggressive behavior; at this time, articulation, tremor of the hands and lips, unstable walking, flushing of the face, and increased heart rate.

Hand tremor treatment

Propranolol or ecdysone can reduce symptoms in patients with benign or idiopathic familial tremor.

Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's syndrome tremor can try taking amantadine, levodopa or medoca, Xi Ning and so on. It can also be treated with body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine. At the same time, drugs such as cibilin, shenwujiannao capsules, and Xuesaitong capsules are used orally to treat cerebrovascular expansion.

Hand tremor prevention

1. Try to do some physical exercises, such as Tai Chi, radio exercises. Rubbing your hands and turning your neck can help promote blood circulation. Daily life should be regular to avoid fatigue.

2. Eating more arteriosclerotic foods, such as vegetables, fruits, celery, and onions, has the effect of lowering blood pressure and anti-blood lipids. Eat more grains and grains, the richer the variety, the better the recovery. Limit high-fat, high-calorie, high-sugar foods, especially fried foods.

3. Psychotherapy is as important as medication. Patients should pay attention to balance of mind, read books and use their brains frequently, and often go out and walk around. Some patients have a heavy ideological burden and are afraid of other people's jokes. At this time family members, relatives and friends should give comfort and encouragement. Don't make the patient angry and nervous, especially don't tell the bad news immediately, so as not to aggravate the illness and create a warm and peaceful rehabilitation environment.