10 Causes Of Hand Tremors

By jolene

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

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Hand tremors or shaky hands refer to involuntary and rhythmic movements that can be due to the alternating and synchronous contractions of antagonistic muscles. Tremors are one of the most common movement disorders that may involve the arms, head, legs, or vocal cords.

Based on the underlying cause, the tremors may differ as some can be chronic, short-term, constant, or intermittent. Hand tremors can have a negative impact on the quality of life for those who are affected as they can cause issues with activities of daily living such as holding utensils and difficulty writing.

Tremors can be generally categorized into action and resting tremors. Resting tremors occur when the muscles are relaxed. In action tremors, they only occur when the muscles contract during voluntary movements.

Cause #1: Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury occurs when there is intracranial injury due to an external force causing injury to the brain. Traumatic brain injury can be classified based on the mechanism or severity of injury. It can lead to behavioural, cognitive, physical and emotional issues.

The prognosis of the injury can range from complete recovery to death depending on the location and severity of the injury. It can be caused by falls, violence, and road traffic accidents. Rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, vision therapy, recreation therapy, counseling and supported employment. The damage to the brain can affect nerves that are involved in movement coordination.