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Experiencing shakes and tremors in your hands can be unsettling, especially if they start to interfere with your daily routine. While occasional hand tremors can be normal in cases of high levels of stress or consuming excessive amounts of caffeine, persistent or worsening symptoms may indicate an underlying condition like Parkinson’s disease.
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What is Causing Your Shaky Hand Tremors?
If you’ve noticed your hands trembling, you are probably asking yourself (or Google), “Are shaky hands normal?”. The answer depends on the frequency, severity, and underlying cause. Health tracking apps like PatientsLikeMe, will help identify patterns and make the data easier to share with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
In some cases, shaky hands are perfectly normal. Everyday factors like stress, anxiety, fatigue, or consuming too much caffeine can temporarily cause hand shakes and tremors. However, there are a few health conditions that can cause shaky hands:
- Alcohol misuse or withdrawal
- Mercury poisoning
- Liver or kidney failure
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Hereditary ataxia or fragile X syndrome
In these cases you may already be aware of these conditions so your shaky hands are probably not a surprise but they are worth mentioning.
But if the tremors persist, worsen over time, or appear without an obvious trigger, they may signal a neurological medical issue. Chronic hand tremors are often associated with neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. In fact, around 75% of people with Parkinson’s have tremors. Understanding the context of your tremors like when they happen, what worsens or alleviates them, and whether other symptoms are present, can help you determine whether they warrant medical attention.
Symptoms of Hand Tremors
Hand tremors can present in various ways, and their characteristics often highlight underlying causes. Common symptoms include:
- Resting tremors: Tremors that occur when your hands are at rest and stop during intentional movement like writing or drinking (commonly seen in Parkinson’s). When you have Parkinson’s your hands shake because the brain cells that tell your muscles to move get damaged. The shaking starts in one hand and over time spreads to the other.
- Action tremors: Shaking that occurs during voluntary movements like writing or drinking from a cup. This is associated with an essential tremor which begins gradually and is more noticeable on one side of the body. In an essential tremor your hands tend to shake when you are using your hands vs in Parkinson’s the tremor is more noticeable when your hands are resting.
- Worsening with stress or fatigue: Tremors that become more noticeable in high-stress situations or after physical exertion. Chronic lack of sleep can also cause your hands to shake. Your brain accidentally tells your hands to shake. This can be exacerbated by drinking too much caffeine when you are trying to counteract your lack of sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant and it will make your hands shake if you have too much.
Other symptoms of Parkinson’s that accompany hand tremors, such as stiffness, slow movement, or balance issues.
Diagnosing Hand Tremors
Diagnosing the cause of shakes and tremors in hands requires a thorough evaluation. A doctor will typically begin with your medical history. Be prepared for questions about when the tremors started, their frequency, and any family history of similar symptoms to identify potential causes. They will also conduct a physical exam which includes observing the tremors, testing your reflexes, coordination, and muscle strength. MRI or CT scan may be performed to detect brain abnormalities that could have been caused by a stroke. Based on the results, your doctor may continue testing or refer you to a neurologist for specialized care.
Find Strength In Community
Hand tremors can range from a minor inconvenience to a sign of a serious medical condition. There might be the occasional normal shaking due to stress or caffeine but persistent or worsening shakes and tremors in your hands should not be ignored.
Whether you have recently started to experience shaky hands and are worried it may be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease or you have a confirmed diagnosis from your doctor, having a support network makes a difference in your health. Join PatientsLikeMe to connect with others who share similar experiences and gain access to valuable insights and support tailored to your health needs. If you’re managing hand tremors due to Parkinson’s disease, how do you cope? Let us and others know in the discussions!
