Why is the head and hands shaking?

Sometimes people can observe sharp rhythmic unconscious contractions of muscles - the head and hands are shaking, which in most cases is considered a sign of a serious neurological disease. However, there are other reasons for this state. About them, and also about whether it is possible to treat tremors of the head and hands, we will talk in this article.

Causes of trembling of the head and hands

Clinicians identify possible causes of trembling of the head and hands:

• drug use and alcohol abuse, other types of pathological dependence;
• trembling of a hereditary nature (the so-called essential tremor, appears usually after 25 years);
• diseases and damages of the cerebellum;
• the effect of taking certain medications;
• the effects of stress, prolonged or sudden fear;
• physiological trembling after severe fatigue, overexertion.

As you can see, the reasons for trembling are not so few. To a tremor can result any psychoemotional overstrain, for example, a student's session or public performance. Often the emotional tremor disappears on its own, it is not required to treat it. However, counseling psychoneurologist does not hurt.

As for addictions, shaking may appear after consuming large doses of coffee, alcohol, drugs and medicines.

Any physical activity should be dosed, since a muscular overstrain can also cause a shiver.

However, the most complex conditions are caused by a pathological tremor associated with such causes:

• Essential tremor is a hereditary disease characterized by the appearance of trembling, for example, only the right or only the left limb and head;
• Parkinson's disease - involuntary motor activity of the hands and head;
• diseases and traumas of the cerebellum - a shiver, combined with high-amplitude movements. Often observed in cancer processes in the brain, with multiple sclerosis, with pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

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Symptoms of trembling of the head and hands

• If the trembling develops in adolescence, and the process begins first on one hand, gradually spreading to the other arm, then to the chin, head, tongue, then one can suspect benign senile tremor. This disease can occur only in some moments. For example, after taking alcohol, when experiencing. Especially noticeable trembling with arms outstretched forward. Often, with such a syndrome, it is enough to take some sedative or hypnotic drug to calm the attack.
• If the head is dizzy and the hands are shaking, there are problems with balance, and the patient, if his eyes are closed, can not touch the tip of his nose - you can talk about trembling intentionality. This is a complex disease that should be treated with a neurologist. Especially severe is such a disease, if it is caused by excessive accumulation of copper in the body. In addition to trembling of the head and limbs, periodic bending and extension of the joints of the hands or feet are observed in this state.
• If your head hurts and your hands are shaking, then this may be due to thyroid disorders, with the use of narcotic drugs or drugs, or alcohol. Such a tremor is small, especially noticeable with the spreading of fingers or stretching the arms anteriorly. Tremor does not disappear with general motor activity, and only intensifies when trying to concentrate attention on something.
• However, most often the trembling in the hands and head is 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 disturbance, forgetfulness, gradual loss of facial expressions.

Diagnosis of trembling of the head and hands

At the very beginning of the diagnosis, the doctor pays attention to the nature of the symptoms, to the circumstances under which they appear. Thus, the doctor collects an anamnesis: he questions about heredity, about the existence of bad habits, about the way of life, about professional activity.

Further, if necessary, additional tests are prescribed:

• computed tomography - helps to carefully examine all the necessary structures of the brain, which allows you to detect all the changes that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease;
• positron emission method of brain tomography - thanks to this procedure it is possible to evaluate the activity and functionality of the brain, namely, the departments responsible for movements. The same method reveals the lack of nerve cells that synthesize dopamine;
• one-photon method of computed tomography - used to exclude the presence of neurological diseases, for example, the same Parkinson's disease;
• magnetic resonance imaging - visualizes the working capacity of the brain with the help of a strong magnetic field, radio waves and computer imaging. Provides an opportunity to identify minimal changes in the brain structure, which allows you to exclude many serious diseases;
• transcranial sonography is ultrasound detection of hyperechoic signals that occur in areas with elevated iron content. It allows to detect neurological diseases even at the initial stages of their development;
• electroencephalography - a method for recording bioelectrical activity;
• The technique of evoked potentials is the determination of the electrically active response of the brain to the action of external stimuli;
• electromyography - gives an idea of the functionality of the neuromuscular apparatus, which is explained by the bioelectrical activity of the muscles.

Differential diagnosis is the search for concomitant signs that may be characteristic of other pathologies.

Treatment of trembling of the head and hands

As with any disease, the treatment of tremors depends on the cause of the symptom. Basically, prescribe medication, non-pharmacological therapy or (according to indications) surgical intervention.

Drug treatment is based on the use of medications:

• ß-blockers of adrenergic receptors, which reduce the severity of symptoms (primidone, propranolol);
• drugs that eliminate convulsions and tremors (clonazepam, gabapentin);
• soothing drugs (lorazepam, diazepam, etc.);
• vitamins of group B (mainly B6);
• botox injections (IM).

Of non-drug treatment is preferable to physiotherapy, exercise therapy. The purpose of such therapy is to regain control over the musculature, to stabilize the respiratory function (if there is a trembling of the diaphragm).

A good effect is provided by contrast showers, hardening, balneotherapy, sanatorium treatment. The patient is prescribed vitamin nutrition, reflexotherapy, manual therapy and massage.

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

• impact on the nucleus of the hypothalamus (the brain zone responsible for the relationship with other parts of the brain);
• Neurostimulation of brain areas - conduct electrical impulses that activate certain areas of the brain, which helps to eliminate or reduce jitter.

Alternative treatment includes apitherapy (bee stings), hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), and phytotherapy. From plant remedies in the form of fees use such plants as valerian root, oregano, mint, motherwort, hop cones, wormwood.

For additional relaxation of muscles use exercises autotreningom, yoga, Pilates, respiratory gymnastics. Useful swimming in the pool, massages, any water procedures.

Preventing trembling of the head and hands

In the hereditary form of the disease, prevention methods have not been developed. To warn a possible occurrence of the disease can be through consultations of the geneticist, which are conducted to patients planning to replenish.

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

• avoid stressful situations, experiences, get rid of fears and phobias (sometimes you have to go to a psychologist);
• to limit the intake of all kinds of stimulant drugs and products - coffee, strong tea, alcoholic beverages and energy;
• to establish a mode of sleep and rest, not to overload the body physically, not to overdo it;
• avoid hypothermia, dress according to weather;
• get rid of bad habits - do not smoke, do not drink, do not use drugs;
• Do not overdose with medicines.

It is important to revise your diet. The diet should be rich in vitamins, especially group B, and also trace elements. Remember that fasting and too strict diets with a low carbohydrate content can also cause bouts of shivering.

Forecast of trembling of the head and hands

As a rule, in most cases, trembling of the hands and the head takes place in the process of establishing a lifestyle, a psycho-emotional background, and the regime of the day.

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

If the head and hands are shaking - this may not necessarily be a serious ailment. Before you draw any disappointing conclusions - contact your doctor. It is possible that this state is caused by banal reasons, which it is not difficult to eliminate.

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