Ever notice a subtle shaking of a hand or limb that you have no control over? Don’t let it upset you. This is what is known as a tremor, and it’s often a perfectly normal part of life. However, you should bear in mind that there may be an underlying risk resulting from them, which is why it’s important to get frequent medical checkups throughout your lifetime. Today, let’s explore what causes tremors, what disorders they may potentially indicate, and more.

The Basics

First off, let’s clear the air on the naming. Tremors are often confused with muscle spasms and/or twitches, but these are completely different and unrelated. Tremors come in two primary types, known as resting and action. These are named after the current movement and positioning of the body when the tremor occurs. Therefore, resting tremors are those that occur while sleeping on the couch or lounging your favourite chair, while action tremors happen while moving a part of your body. 

Tremor Categories

Although there are two main types of tremors, there are certain categories that yours may fall under (these need to be diagnosed by a medical professional to be certain about which one you have). Parkinsonian tremors, as the term implies, are of the resting variety and typically indicate early-onset Parkinson’s disease – usually once you’re in your sixties. Cerebellar tremors are related to your balance, usually caused by cerebellum damage in the form of neurological disease or stroke. Physiological tremors can be caused by substance addiction withdrawals and as a side effect of certain drugs, not to mention low blood sugar.  

Treatment

There are several treatment solutions out there intended to address tremors, and usually, these will at least lessen their severity. They include means of brain stimulation utilizing controlled electrical currents (typically reserved for the most serious cases), chemical injections, various medications including beta-blockers and alternatives for folks who can’t take them, and physical therapy. The latter is particularly useful in that it promotes improved muscle strength, balance, hand dexterity, and coordination. Speak to your practitioner about which option is the safest and most potentially effective for your tremors, should you have them.

Tremors are increasingly commonplace with age, but there are many different causes; sometimes, as touched on earlier, these serve as warning signs of things to come. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get them examined and diagnosed accurately, helping you understand the appropriate preventative care pathway. For caregiving services geared towards a friend or loved one living with a condition causing serious tremors, reach out to us at C-Care today. We’re here to help in any way we can.