Tremors: Types, Causes, and How to Manage Them

March 5, 2025

Tremors: Types, Causes, and How to Manage Them

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
05 March, 2025

Tremors: Types, Causes, and How to Manage Them A tremor is a medical term used to describe any involuntary movement of a body part- mostly the hands and the feet. Tremors are not caused randomly but happen due to some medical condition that you may not be aware of. Tremors are normally classified into two types in the broadest sense- ones that occur when you move versus ones that occur during rest- called action and resting tremors respectively. These may occur due to situations where you are anxious or it may only be caused due to a neurodegenerative condition like Parkinson’s disease(PD). Action tremors are further subclassified into – postural (when you try to hold a particular position), isometric (like when you do a push-up) and kinetic (when you write or need to coordinate and move your limbs) tremors respectively. Resting tremors are caused when you are completely at rest.

What Causes Hand Tremors And How To Treat Them?

Hand tremors can be caused due to neurological conditions like PD or multiple sclerosis (MS), but they can also be caused when you have low blood sugar, have too much caffeine, get anxious, have dystonia, are overly exhausted or are going through withdrawal of some sort (like from drugs or alcohol). This is when you are not able to hold onto something normally and spill stuff or cut yourself while shaving. Other parts of the body can get affected too in such cases.

Difference Between Essential Tremor And Parkinson’s Tremor

An essential tremor is one which comes and goes mostly when you move your hands or legs. They don’t normally happen when you are at rest. You may think you are more clumsy than usual, but this trait seems to run in families. For some people however, they may happen at rest and you may show such symptoms even if you don’t have any neurological condition.

If you have Parkinson’s disease or Parkinsonism, then you will definitely have resting tremors which seem to get worse over a period of time. If they respond well to dopamine-containing medications, then you can be sure that it is Parkinson’s or parkinsonism indeed. In PD however, tremors occur more on one side of the body than the other.

Neurological Conditions That Cause Tremors

Some of the most well known neurological conditions that can cause tremors include PD, MS, if you have had a stroke, have Wilson’s disease, any cerebellar issues, or have an essential tremor.

How To Diagnose And Test For Tremors?

You will be recommended a bunch of tests, so the doctor can understand whether you have an essential tremor or if it is caused due to some neurodegenerative disorder. This is done by checking the following aspects-

If the tremor occurs at rest or when you move a body part
They will check muscle tone, reflexes, speech patterns and how your balance and coordination in general are. This is a neurological examination.
If you have noticeable tremors, then they will check how intense they are, how often they occur and where they happen
They will ask to do imaging or give you simple tests like drawing or holding an object or check your gait.
They will also check if you are on certain drugs like antidepressants, which can cause tremors as a side effect.
They will obviously take a detailed medical history too.

Conclusion

A common question that many people have is this – how to manage essential tremors with lifestyle changes. If your tremors are caused due to drugs or caffeine, then you will be asked to stop them. If it is due to medication, then you may be asked to pause them for a while, or you may have to take another one instead. You should try to get clothes which have zips on them, as buttons can be handsy and hard to deal with. Writing can be hard, so you may have to use voice assistance or use weighted pens. You should try to sleep well and get enough exercise and physical therapy, as suggested by your doctor. You may also be given medications to reduce tremors- like anti-seizure medications, beta blockers, benzodiazepines, dopamine agonists if you have PD etc. Your treatment regimen will most likely be highly personalised and tailored to meet your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of tremors?

There are many kinds of tremors and they are classified according to specific categories. The broadest classification is based on whether the tremors occur during movement (action tremor) or when you rest.

How do I know if my tremors are serious?

If you are not able to perform daily tasks normally, or if you notice a definite change in muscle behaviour and mood or changes in thinking, then you should get yourself checked ASAP.

Can anxiety or stress cause tremors?

Yes, a surge in hormones like adrenaline and cortisol can mean tremors, mus1c11le tension, elevated heart rate etc. These symptoms go away as soon as you calm down. They are mostly not very medically concerning but can affect your quality of life.

Are there natural remedies to help reduce tremors?

Yes, actively finding ways to destress and not consuming too much caffeine can greatly help. You should also aim to sleep well, every night.

What medications are available to treat tremors?

Beta blockers and anti-seizure medications are normally given, though other drugs may also be used. The drugs you are given depend on what is causing the tremors in the first place. The drug regimen is different if you have Parkinson’s or some other neurodegenerative disease.