Tremor of the head in adults and children: how to get rid of, alternative drugs, pills, exercises

If a person has uncontrolled rhythmic twitching or shaking his head, then they say that he has a "tremor of the head." This term is used for any involuntary oscillations of different amplitude - from trembling to slow rocking.

Epidemiology

According to statistics, most often the head trembling appears in people who excessively consume alcohol, or suffer from Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroidism or Wilson-Konovalov's disease.

Most patients with this symptom are elderly and senile (over 65).

Tremor of the head occurs in 35-45% of all cases of essential tremor. In this case, more than half of the cases relate to hereditary pathologies. Evaluation of hereditary cases often indicates an autosomal dominant variant of inheritance, but it was only in individual patients that the genetic anomaly was identified precisely.

Most cases with tremor of the head are common in the Scandinavian countries, in the post-Soviet territory and in India. The fewest patients are registered in the United States and Italy.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Causes of the tremor of the head

Uncontrolled oscillations of the head occur for many reasons, which determines the shape of this pathology.

So, often the cause is endocrine disorders, serious liver and / or kidney disease, as well as respiratory organs.

Intoxication chemicals are also often accompanied by a similar symptom.

Tremor of the head during excitement can arise as a result of an unstable autonomic nervous system: in addition to tremors, this condition can be expressed in an unmotivated capriciousness, excessive emotionality, nervousness.

• Tremor of the head with osteochondrosis arises from the disturbance of blood flow and the deterioration of trophism caused by the pinching of the spinal nerve fibers. Along with tremor, there can be swellings on the face, malfunctions with cardiac activity.
• Hand and head tremors often disturb patients with alcohol or drug addiction, as well as people who are exposed to stress, fear. Sometimes such an condition leads to an overdose of certain drugs - for example, bronchodilators, or psychotropic drugs.
• Tremor of the neck and head is almost always associated with the phenomena of cervical osteochondrosis. This disease affects a huge number of people, since the factors of the development of the disease are quite common: it is overweight, food harmful food, physical inactivity, spinal cord distortion, spinal curvature (for example, with prolonged sedentary work).
• Tremor of the head and legs occurs with endocrine disorders - when the pancreas, thyroid or adrenal gland is broken. In addition, tremors in the legs and head occur with infectious lesions, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, as well as in the development of senile dementia.
• Tremor of the head when tilted can be a sign of panic attacks, neuroses, as well as a consequence of neck and head injuries. This condition often occurs against a background of headache, dizziness, changes in blood pressure.
• A slight tremor of the head - as a rule, this is the first sign of any pathologies in the body, associated with abnormalities in the work of the central nervous system, the endocrine system, or metabolic processes. Light twitching or shaking is an unfavorable symptom. If you ignore it and run it, the tremor will only increase with time and will cause much more problems and discomfort.
• The tremor of the head in a child of the first year of life is in most cases physiological, since it is associated with an increased tone and imperfection of the child's peripheral nervous system. Especially often this symptom is observed in children born with rapid or, conversely, prolonged, childbirth, as well as in preterm babies. If the tremor in children is caused by pathological causes (in particular, a violation of the central nervous system), then a consultation of the children's neurologist is necessary.
• Tremor of the head in a one-year-old child can arise from anxiety, fright or other expressed emotions. In addition to head tremor, lips, chin, arms and legs may be twitching. If such a state is normal, then it occurs sporadically and is always closely related to the excessive stress of the child's nervous system. Episodes last not for long and pass independently. In other cases, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.
• Tremor of the head in adolescents is often associated with excessive mental stress, with any personal experiences. For example, the tension of the nervous system before the examinations, or before other responsible situations can affect. If the tremor is accompanied by difficulty in coordinating movements, severe headaches, irritability with signs of aggression, poor sleep, you should immediately contact a doctor.
• Head tremors in the elderly person can arise, as a result of age-related degenerative changes in the brain, and due to Parkinson's disease or senile dementia. Precisely determine the cause of this phenomenon can only specialist based on the results of diagnostic studies.
• Tremor of the head in a dream usually does not appear, however, in infants up to 2 months of age, oscillatory movements may occur during the fast phase of sleep. At this age, such a tremor is considered one of the variants of the norm, but in any case it should be reported to the pediatrician.

[7], [8]

Risk factors

The main risk factors are as follows:

1. presence of such cases in the family;
2. excessive consumption of alcohol;
3. drug addiction;
4. regular or chaotic medication;
5. tendency to high blood pressure;
6. frequent or severe stress, anxiety, fright;
7. physical or moral exhaustion;
8. disorders in the hormonal sphere;
9. Nervous pathology.

[9]

Pathogenesis

In order to explain the etiology and pathogenesis of tremor of the head, many theories have been proposed to date: this is the influence of psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, cortico-visceral, social and psychological, stress factors. Nevertheless, none of the voiced theories is capable of giving a clear, exhaustive answer to the question of the onset of a tremor.

Tremor of the head is classified into two varieties: benign and pathological.

With benign tremor, uncontrolled jiggings arise in a calm or active state, or after a powerful stressful situation. Typical are the frequency of seizures, prolonged remissions, the absence of increasing dynamics.

Often, the patient does not notice benign tremor: it is indicated by surrounding people.

Pathological tremor is associated with diseases and disease states and is their direct consequence. Pathological tremor leads to a lot of discomfort and significantly worsens the quality of life.

Psychosomatics with head tremor is definite: an enormous role is played by disorders of the functionality of organs and systems, as well as the impact of psychotraumatic factors such as stress, conflict situations, crises, etc.

If previously only a small number of diseases were attributed to psychosomatic disorders, now this "range" has become much broader. So, a tremor often arises under the influence of one-time or permanent stresses - in cases when there is a delay in the biological adaptation of the organism to similar situations. At the same time, stress is not always conscious. Often the inner hidden accumulation of afferent impulses plays a decisive role - the result of a huge number of different stimuli. Unfortunately, the general psychoemotional background is far from being understood and perceived by man in all cases.

[10], [11], [12], [13], [14]

Symptoms of the tremor of the head

Tremor can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the underlying cause of this condition. However, experts identify a number of signs that are considered typical for any variant of head tremor development.

The first signs can be expressed as follows:

• uncontrolled nods in one direction or the other;
• futile attempts to establish control over the tremor (on the contrary, as a result, the situation can only worsen);
• absence of tremor in a dream or in a calm state;
• simultaneous uncontrolled twitching of the tongue and mimic facial musculature;
• the growth of manifestations during an attack and their gradual subsidence.

Movements that a person can not control, lead not only to physical, but also to psychological discomfort. The patient loses self-confidence, closes, becomes uncommunicative and irritable.

Forms

Depending on the causes and manifestations of tremors, specialists distinguish several versions of the generally accepted classification.

• Essential tremor of the head is also called family: it occurs as a result of unfavorable heredity in this respect. This condition can be considered to be benign. The main signs are the rhythmic movements up and down, or in the sides: the intellectual possibilities are not violated. Essential fluctuations are manifested only in a state of stress or stress, mainly in old age.
• Dystonic tremor of the head can appear in a person at any age, if he suffers from dystonia, motor disorders, when uncontrolled muscle contractions lead to circular repetitive movements. Dystonic oscillations are often observed when the patient assumes a certain position, or moves the neck at a certain angle. Oscillations appear irregularly and can occur even in a calm state. The effect of such tremors can often be alleviated by touching the affected part of the body.
• Postural tremor of the head is observed, mainly, in people who have problems with autonomic function - for example, for those who are too anxious and hypochondriac. This kind of tremor can be a consequence of thyroid disease, the use of medicines and alcoholic beverages, or is the result of hereditary predisposition. Postural vibrational movements have the property of intensifying at a time when a person tries to quench the trembling independently.

[15], [16]

Complications and consequences

If the patient's mental capabilities are preserved, then special complications can hardly be expected. However, over time, attacks of trembling of the head can lead to a decrease in the quality of life, loss of social communication.

With insufficient or incorrect treatment, the pathological process often spreads to other organs and muscles.

Uncontrolled movements in many patients become more pronounced and intense. There are difficulties not only in the professional sphere, but also in everyday life: a person becomes disabled.

Tremor of the head is a serious ailment that requires immediate medical attention. Such a disease can lead to disorders of the musculoskeletal system, to speech disorder, to writing, to the curvature of the cervical spine. Gradually decreases motor amplitude, often on this background there are intolerable headaches and unpleasant sensations in the neck.

Tremor indicates that in the body there are certain serious violations that can lead to big problems: to the loss of speech function, to the inability to move the neck, to disability.

[17], [18], [19],

Diagnostics of the tremor of the head

Diagnosis is usually conducted by a doctor of a neurological profile: a neurologist or neurologist.

To determine the cause of the tremor, the doctor will conduct a survey: find out under what circumstances the symptom first appeared, how long the tremor lasts, how often it repeats, what other symptoms occur while doing so.

After this, the doctor will examine the patient, assess the quality of his reflexes and reactions.

In addition, such studies are assigned:

• Analyzes:

1. A general blood test will help to see signs of inflammation, which will indirectly suspect an infectious or autoimmune pathology.
2. Biochemistry of the blood will indicate the possible presence of internal diseases, which could cause damage to the nervous system. Particular attention is paid to such indicators as cholesterol level (affects the atherosclerotic change of intracerebral vessels), glucose level (vascular changes in diabetes mellitus), the amount of bilirubin (a toxic product of decomposition of hemoglobin), the level of creatinine and urea (you can suspect kidney damage), etc.

• Instrumental diagnostics:

1. Radiography, MRI and CT will help assess the state of brain structures and cranial bones, as well as the spine.
2. Electroencephalography detects brain areas with pathological activity.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe consultations of specialists of other profiles - for example, a vertebrologist (for vertebral column disorders), a traumatologist (if the tremor is a result of an injury), an oncologist (if there is a suspicion of an intracranial tumor), a psychiatrist (if a mental disorder is suspected) endocrinologist (with suspicion of disorders of the thyroid gland).

[20]

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis should be conducted with Parkinson's disease, Wilson's disease, and if tremor is detected in patients under 50 years of age, hepatolenticular degeneration should be excluded.

[21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27]

Treatment of the tremor of the head

Treatment is prescribed to reduce manifestations and reduce the frequency of pathological fluctuations or trembling of the head.

The main medical measures are:

• Normalization of the regime of the day.

It is desirable to build a mode in such a way that you fall asleep daily, wake up and eat at the same time. The diet should be balanced by the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, enriched with vitamins and minerals. It is necessary to balance both the level of physical and mental stress, to be more outdoors and outdoors.

• Normalization of the psychoemotional state.

It is necessary to reconsider their views on life, to establish relations with surrounding people, to learn to think positively. Sometimes this requires the help of a psychologist.

• Reception of medicines.

Medications are prescribed in the case when tremor is severe and repeated often.

Medications

If no apparent deterioration is observed, many cases of tremors are successfully cured by taking sedatives, both during the day and at night. In more complex cases, Primidone and Propranolol may be prescribed.

Given the root cause of this condition, the doctor can apply such medications:

• Adrenoblockers are used to treat patients with hypertension.
• Primidone is recommended for elderly patients. The daily amount of the drug should be at least 0.75 mg. Care should be taken during treatment, as it is possible to develop such side effects as dizziness and vomiting.
• β-adrenoblockers are used only at normal blood pressure values. Optimum use of 40 to 100 mg of medicament. Side effects may be a decrease in blood glucose, bronchospasm, allergy.
• Clonazepam is appropriate for convulsive syndrome, 1-2 mg to three times a day. Side-effects are sleep disorders, headaches. A possible combination of clonazepam and propranolol.
• Vitamin B _{6 is}  prescribed with increased nervous excitability. It is better to use injectable administration of the drug, 4-8 mg per day.

Also, at the discretion of the doctor, such drugs as Anaprilin, Antelepsin or diazepine-based drugs may be prescribed.

Botox from tremors of the head

The use of relatively small amounts of botox (Botulinum toxin) is indicated in isolated cases of tremor. Typically, this treatment lasts about six months.

What does Botox do?

Injectable administration of Botulinum toxin A decreases the vibrational amplitude with physiological tremor.

Injections of 50 units into the area of the elbows allow one to achieve a softening of the oscillations by more than 30% in almost half of the patients.

Many specialists seek to introduce higher doses of the drug (up to 100 units).

Injections may be accompanied by side symptoms in the form of a feeling of weakness in the hands.

Patients with tremor of the head are advised to inject the drug into the area of the belt and nipple muscles. The recommended dosage is 40-400 units.

[28], [29]

Grandaxin with tremor of the head

Grandaxin is a tranquilizer, a diazepine drug. It is considered a good tool for the regulation of the psychovegetative state, helps to eliminate all kinds of vegetative disorders. The anxiolytic effect of the medication is not supplemented with a sedative and miorelaxing effect.

Grandaxin is actively used to treat neuroses, depressive conditions, stress disorders, withdrawal syndromes, myasthenia gravis and myopathies.

Standard Grandaxin is prescribed in the amount of 50-100 mg (this is one or two tablets) up to three times a day. The maximum permissible daily dosage is 300 mg (for elderly patients - 150 mg).

Prolonged use of the drug can cause dyspeptic disorders, sleep disorders, increased excitability.

Anaprilin with tremor of the head

Anaprilin is often used to treat arterial hypertension, cardiac rhythm disturbances. A good effect is provided by the drug and for the prevention or treatment of essential tremor: for these purposes, usually prescribed 20 mg three times a day. If necessary, the doctor can increase the dosage - up to 40-80 mg 2-3 times a day.

Treatment can be accompanied by an increased sense of fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety and nervousness.

Anaprilin take a course, after which the dose of the drug is reduced gradually, so as not to cause withdrawal syndrome (characterized by angina attacks, increased blood pressure, heart attack).

In patients with psoriasis, the drug may cause an exacerbation of the disease.

Soothing means for tremor of hands and head

Name of the drug	Description	Application and dosage
Valerian root, tincture	The drug, which stabilizes the work of the nervous and cardiovascular system, suppresses excitation and enhances inhibition in the central nervous system.	Tincture is prescribed, starting from the age of 3: Children the number of drops should equal the number of years; Adults - 20-25 drops 3 times a day, with water.
Motherwort, tincture	The drug, which has a soothing effect, normalizes heart activity, stabilizes blood pressure, improves digestion.	Tincture is used from 3 years. The exact dosage is determined by the doctor.
Sedistress (Passion Flower Extract)	The drug with sedative ability, which helps with stress, vegetative-vascular dystonia. Stabilizes the emotional background, helps to maintain psychological balance.	Tablets take 1-2 pcs. A day inside, before eating, with water. In case of sleep disorders, 2 tablets are taken once a half hour before bedtime.

[30], [31], [32]

Vitamins

To strengthen the nervous system and reduce the manifestations of tremors, doctors recommend that a separate set of vitamins be included in the food ration. They can be obtained from food. If this is not possible, then vitamin preparations should be purchased additionally, in a pharmacy.

• Vit. A promotes the strengthening of neurons, inhibits the development of age-related changes. This vitamin contains a lot in carrots, apricots, peaches, eggs (namely - in yolks).
• Vit. B ₁  fights against neuroses, absent-mindedness, and also eliminates the consequences of numerous stressful situations. It can be found in oatmeal, buckwheat, dairy products, kelp.
• Vit. B _{6 is}  especially necessary for the child's nervous system. In adults, he prevents the development of sleep disorders. Vitamin is found in bananas, liver, prunes and oranges.
• Vit. B _{12 is}  necessary to maintain the nervous system at any age, and especially in the elderly. Vitamin can be obtained from seafood, chicken meat, liver, milk, eggs.
• Ascorbic acid is a "universal" vitamin, necessary for maintaining immunity and strengthening the nervous system. In large quantities, vitamin is present in citrus, kiwi, melon, bell pepper, cabbage, tomatoes, spinach.
• Tocopherol helps to "remove" the symptoms of fatigue and nervous exhaustion. Tocopherol is obtained with the use of nuts, eggs, vegetable oil.

In pharmacies, you can purchase complex multivitamin preparations - for example, Vitrum-Superstress, Vitbalans-Multivit, Pentovit, etc. However, they should be appointed by a doctor, so it is better to visit it for consultation.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Physician-physiotherapist can offer the following methods of action on the body to eliminate pathological tremor:

• exercise physical therapy exercises with exercises affecting the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle, back;
• exercises for relaxation and stretching of muscles;
• outdoor activities, aerobics, aqua aerobics;
• dance classes;
• swimming.

Special physiotherapeutic procedures are appointed depending on the initial cause of the onset of the disease. It can be electrophoresis with medicinal products, mud therapy, medical sleep, magnetotherapy, etc.

Spa treatment, water procedures are welcome.

Alternative treatment

Alternative healers offer a variety of remedies that eliminate headaches. The most useful recipes are:

• We take 9 tbsp. L. Oats, pour three liters of boiling water, put on a small fire and boil for an hour. After that, close the lid and insist for 8-10 hours, filter and use instead of tea or water. This infusion well calms and normalizes the work of the nervous system.
• Dried tansy color (you can other parts of the plant, but it is the color that has a more pronounced effect) is recommended to chew daily for 15 minutes. It is not necessary to swallow the mass.
• It is useful to take baths and baths with broths of chamomile color, leaves of wormwood, lime blossom, rhizome of valerian. To make a decoction, take 10 tbsp. L. Selected herbs, pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist for about half an hour. The filtered liquid is poured into the bath. The procedure for taking a bath should last at least 15 minutes. It's great if it's evening time, shortly before sleep.

Herbal Treatment

As part of the fees, as well as independently, for the preparation of broths and infusions with tremor, you can use such medicinal herbs:

• Amorpha semi-shrubby - eliminates convulsions, soothes (especially recommended for eliminating nervous tremor).
• Valerian drug - has a sedative and calming effect on the central nervous system, normalizes the activity of the cardiovascular system, lowers the reflex excitability and increases inhibitory reactions in the nerve cells of the brain structures.
• Passiflora - has a pronounced sedative effect, helps with functional disorders of the nervous system, with increased excitability, hyperkinesia.
• Peony evading is a plant with a pronounced anticonvulsant property. It is used to treat patients with neurasthenic disorders, vegetovascular disorders.
• Cyanosis blue - reduces motor activity, reduces reflex excitement, improves sleep quality.
• Stephania - in recommended doses promotes muscle relaxation, increases the convulsive threshold (should be careful, since inflated doses of plants can lead to the directly opposite effect).

Flowers tansy with tremor of the head

Tansy is a plant that is most suitable for eliminating pathological tremor. Treatment of tansy is easy and not burdensome: just every day, chew on the mouth of five or six flowers of the plant. The duration of chewing is 15 or 20 minutes. Swallow chewed flowers do not need, they spit out.

The duration of such non-standard treatment is at least one and a half months. The course can be repeated after a month's break.

Increase the claimed dosage should not: large amounts of this plant can be toxic to the body.

[33], [34], [35], [36]

Homeopathy

The most optimal homeopathic remedy that is used to eliminate head tremor is Praseodymium silicicum 30, 30c, or Tsinkum silicicum 12, which is taken in the amount of three granules sublingually between meals in the morning and at night.

There is evidence of a positive result after taking Silicea 12 (also in three pellets twice a day).

Homeopathic preparations should be selected individually, since such treatment is prescribed not only taking into account specific pathology, but also depending on the constitutional and other characteristics of the patient.

As a rule, treatment with homeopathic remedies is not accompanied by any side manifestations. However, there are data on a small number of people in whom such drugs caused an allergic reaction. This should be taken into account when first taking tablets or granules.

Surgery

Not in all cases, which are accompanied by shivering and wiggling of the head, it is appropriate to use surgical treatment. This method is possible if the tremor is associated with operative pathologies of the spine (mainly the cervical spine) or with certain disorders in the central nervous system. For example, some patients with especially severe forms of the disease can be shown surgical stimulation of the cerebellum. The operation consists in the implantation of special electrodes inside the thalamus, and the programmed pulse generator is injected subcutaneously into the clavicle area. The device works in such a way that it inhibits the holding of impulses that provoke muscle twitching.

Surgery is not always smooth: individual postoperative complications are possible. For example, in some patients after surgery, speech is broken, finger motor skills and coordination capabilities deteriorate. Therefore, agreeing to surgical treatment, it is necessary to talk with the doctor in advance and carefully weigh all possible risks and consequences of this step.

Exercises with tremor of the head

If the head tremor is caused by the patient's excessively sensitive nervous system and his inability to control his emotions, it is advisable to consult a psychotherapist. A person skilled in the art will give the patient a set of recommendations that will allow the tremor to be controlled and minimize the frequency of its occurrence.

Often in such situations, exercises like autosuggestion help: "I'm not nervous, I'm confident in myself and my abilities, I can control myself ...".

The patient must learn to remain in a relaxed state. To do this, a person should lie on his back and gradually relax all muscle groups. A good addition will be breathing exercises, as well as regular meditation practice.

The full course of such treatment often helps to get rid of stiffness, self-doubt, a fallen self-esteem, which will directly serve as a positive moment in eliminating the tremor of the head.

[37], [38], [39]

Yoga with tremors of the head

Specialists in Oriental medicine often recommend the so-called finger yoga: such asanas (positions) are called mudras.

Tremor of the head can be eliminated by regularly applying only two mudras.

1. "Wind": press the base of the thumb to the tip of the index finger of the same hand. At the same time, the thumb presses the index from the top slightly. The rest of the fingers should be straight, but not strained.
2. "Life": they connect a large, ring finger and little finger. Keep the other fingers straight.

Exercises should be performed during the day, several times. It is desirable that during the mudra the situation was calm, and the person himself did not have any feelings and fears in his head. The best condition for this is the state of meditation. The earlier the patient begins to practice this, the better the end result will be.

Massage with tremor of the head

During the massage, basic movements such as stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration are used. Begin and end the session with stroking.

All movements are performed from the distant sections towards the center.

Before the procedure it is very important to prepare for it correctly:

• The room needs to be ventilated within half an hour (if the time of the year allows, then the window can also not be closed at all).
• The hands and nails of the masseuse must be well-groomed, dry. All accessories should be removed from the hands.
• Massage is better spent in active time - not before going to sleep.
• The couch or bed on which the massage will be performed should be comfortable for the patient.
• The patient should not annoy anything: no sunlight from the window, no additional sounds or other factors. It's good, if light music sounds, and the light is muffled.
• During the massage you can apply soothing fragrant oils or creams.
• To improve the effect, massage is best performed immediately before taking a bath or shower.
• With soft, unsharp movements, massage the face (the eyebrows and wings of the nose), the occipital part of the head, and the neck.

You can massage the entire back surface along the spine, as well as the limbs, including the feet and palms.

Prevention

The first and basic condition in the prevention of tremors is the observance of a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to say a firm "no" to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and drugs in any form.

The organism will be grateful to you if you adhere to a healthy regime of the day, in which there is time not only for work, but also for rest. On night sleep should be given 7-9 hours (provided a full sleep).

It is necessary to "harden" your nervous system: do not pay attention to the negative circumstances, trying to experience only positive emotions. For this purpose it is desirable to communicate only with pleasant people, to look only at good films, to find in life more positive moments.

Read development literature, attend cultural events, diversify your social life - lead an active lifestyle, but do not overload yourself. Excessive physical exertion, as well as an excess of emotions, will also not benefit the nervous system.

With any suspicious symptoms it is very important to visit a doctor on time.

[40], [41]

Forecast

Talk about the prognosis of such a symptom as a tremor of the head, you can, only clearly knowing the cause of this state. In any case, you should not hide and hide this ailment: it's likely that you will not be able to leave this way from the problem. Independently the tremor of the head does not pass, but it can aggravate. Apply for medical care at the first unfavorable signs: according to statistics, the majority of such cases can be eliminated with timely diagnosis.