Why are my head and hands shaking?

Sometimes people can experience sharp, rhythmic, unconscious muscle contractions – shaking of the head and hands, which in most cases is considered a sign of a serious neurological disease. However, there are other reasons for this condition. We will talk about them, as well as whether it is possible to treat tremors of the head and hands, in this article.

Causes of head and hand tremors

Clinicians identify possible causes of head and hand tremors:

• drug use and alcohol abuse, other types of pathological addiction;
• hereditary tremors (the so-called essential tremor, usually appears after 25 years);
• diseases and injuries of the cerebellum;
• a consequence of taking certain medications;
• consequences of stress, prolonged or sudden fear;
• physiological tremors after severe fatigue, overexertion.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons for trembling. Any psycho-emotional overstrain, for example, a student session or a public speech, can lead to tremor. Often, emotional tremors disappear on their own and do not require treatment. However, a consultation with a neuropsychiatrist would not hurt.

As for addictions, tremors can appear after consuming large doses of coffee, alcohol, drugs and medications.

Any physical activity should be measured, since muscle strain can also cause tremors.

However, the most complex conditions are caused by pathological tremors, associated with the following reasons:

• essential tremor is a hereditary disease characterized by the appearance of tremors, for example, only of the right or only of the left limb and head;
• Parkinson's disease - involuntary motor activity of the arms and head;
• Cerebellar diseases and injuries – tremors combined with high-amplitude movements. Often observed in oncological processes in the brain, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular pathologies.

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Symptoms of head and hand tremors

• If tremors develop in adolescence, and the process begins first on one hand, gradually spreading to the other hand, then to the chin, head, tongue, then benign senile tremor can be suspected. This disease can manifest itself only at certain moments. For example, after drinking alcohol, during stress. Tremors are especially noticeable when arms are stretched forward. Often, with such a syndrome, taking some sedative or sleeping pill is enough to calm the attack.
• If the head is spinning and the hands are shaking, problems with balance arise, and the patient, if his eyes are closed, cannot touch the tip of his nose - we can talk about intentional tremor. This is a complex disease that should be treated by a neurologist. This disease is especially severe if it is caused by excessive accumulation of copper in the body. In addition to trembling of the head and limbs, in this condition there is periodic flexion and extension of the joints of the arms or legs.
• If your head hurts and your hands shake, this may be due to thyroid disease, the use of drugs or medications, or alcohol. This tremor is small, especially noticeable when spreading your fingers or stretching your arms forward. The tremor does not disappear with general motor activity, and only intensifies when trying to concentrate on something.
• However, most often, tremors in the hands and head are a symptom of Parkinson's disease - this is a fairly common disease, especially among the elderly. The disease is accompanied by weakness, unsteadiness of gait, speech impairment, forgetfulness, and a gradual loss of facial expressions.

Diagnosis of head and hand tremors

At the very beginning of the diagnosis, the doctor pays attention to the nature of the symptoms, the circumstances under which they appear. Thus, the doctor collects anamnesis: asks about heredity, the presence of bad habits, lifestyle, professional activity.

Further, if necessary, additional examinations are prescribed:

• computed tomography – helps to carefully examine all the necessary structures of the brain, which allows us to detect all the changes that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease;
• positron emission tomography of the brain - thanks to this procedure, it is possible to evaluate the activity and functionality of the brain, namely the sections responsible for movement. This method also reveals the deficiency of nerve cells that synthesize dopamine;
• single-photon computed tomography – used to exclude the presence of neurological diseases, for example, Parkinson’s disease;
• Magnetic resonance imaging – visualizes the brain’s performance using a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and computer imaging. Provides the ability to detect minimal changes in brain structure, which allows the exclusion of many serious diseases;
• transcranial sonography is an ultrasound recording of hyperechoic signals that occur in areas with increased iron content. It allows detecting neurological diseases even at the initial stages of their development;
• electroencephalography – a method of recording bioelectrical activity;
• evoked potential method – determination of the electrically active response of the brain to external stimuli;
• Electromyography – provides an idea of the functionality of the neuromuscular system, which is explained by the bioelectrical activity of the muscles.

Differential diagnosis involves searching for accompanying signs that may be characteristic of other pathologies.

Treatment of head and hand tremors

As with any disease, the treatment of tremors depends on the cause of this symptom. Basically, medication, non-medicinal therapy or (if indicated) surgical intervention are prescribed.

Drug treatment is based on the use of medications:

• ß-adrenergic blockers, which reduce the severity of symptoms (primidone, propranolol);
• drugs that eliminate seizures and tremors (clonazepam, gabapentin);
• sedatives (lorazepam, diazepam, etc.);
• B vitamins (mainly B6);
• Botox injections (intramuscular).

Of the non-drug treatments, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are preferable. The goal of such therapy is to restore control over the muscles, stabilize the respiratory function (if there is diaphragm tremor).

Contrast showers, hardening, balneotherapy, and spa treatment give good results. The patient is prescribed vitamin-rich nutrition, reflexology, manual therapy, and massage.

Surgical intervention is prescribed for severe diseases (essential tremor) when drug therapy is ineffective. The operation can be of the following type:

• impact on the nuclei of the hypothalamus (the brain area responsible for communication with other parts of the brain);
• Neurostimulation of brain areas - the delivery of electrical impulses that activate specific areas of the brain, which helps eliminate or reduce tremors.

Traditional medicine includes apitherapy (with bee stings), hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) and phytotherapy. Herbal remedies used in the form of infusions include valerian root, oregano, mint, motherwort, hop cones and wormwood.

For additional muscle relaxation, auto-training, yoga, pilates, and breathing exercises are used. Swimming in the pool, massages, and any water procedures are useful.

Prevention of head and hand tremors

In the case of the hereditary form of the disease, there are no methods of prevention. The possible occurrence of the disease can be prevented by geneticist consultations, which are conducted for patients planning to have children.

In other cases, the following preventive measures can be used:

• avoid stressful situations, worries, get rid of fears and phobias (sometimes you have to see a psychologist for this);
• limit the intake of all kinds of stimulants and products – coffee, strong tea, alcoholic beverages and energy drinks;
• establish a sleep and rest regime, do not overload the body physically, do not overwork;
• avoid hypothermia, dress according to the weather;
• get rid of bad habits – don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t use drugs;
• Avoid overdosing on medications.

It is important to review your diet. The diet should be rich in vitamins, especially group B, as well as microelements. Remember that fasting and too strict low-carb diets can also cause tremors.

Head and hand tremors prognosis

As a rule, in most cases, hand and head tremors go away when you improve your lifestyle, psycho-emotional background, and daily routine.

If the cause of the problem is more complex, for example, Parkinson's disease, then a gradual increase in the symptoms of the pathology can be predicted. Unfortunately, in the future, such a patient may face disability or death. However, with the development of medicine, a decrease in the mortality rate from the disease and an increase in the life expectancy of patients are already noted.

If your head and hands are shaking, it may not necessarily be a serious illness. Before making any disappointing conclusions, consult a doctor. It is possible that this condition is caused by trivial reasons that are not difficult to eliminate.

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