What are the 9 causes of shaky hands?
Why my hands shaking?
What are the 9 causes of shaky hands. Perhaps the shaking began recently. Or maybe it’s growing worse. It probably started gradually. It may have happened when you were stressed or angry. Or illness could have brought it on.
Whatever the cause, “tremor” is the name experts give to those shaky hands (and sometimes voice, head, mouth, and feet). They’re more common than you might think, and the causes and outcomes can be quite varied.
Essential Tremor
Essential Tremor is the most common tremor disorder. It usually starts in your hands, but it can move to your arms, head, voice, or other body parts.
ET is different because it affects your hands when they’re already moving. Most other forms of tremor take place when you’re still.
It could result from a gene (your doctor may call this a mutation). That means if one of your parents has a tremor, you’re more likely to get one, too.
9 causes of shaky hands
1.Lack of Sleep
You can’t expect a car to run if you don’t give it gas. And you can’t expect your brain to send messages to all the right places without sleep. When you don’t get enough shut-eye, it can cause your brain to mistakenly tell your hands to tremble. Luckily, you can snooze your way back to steady hands.
2.Low Blood Sugar
Your nerves and muscles are powered by blood sugar. When they don’t get enough, they tell your hands to shake. Low blood sugar can be caused by diabetes, certain medications, too much alcohol, or not enough food. A doctor can help you narrow down what’s happening and why.
3. Stress
When something stresses you out, like giving a speech or watching a scary movie, your nerves kick into overdrive. Your hands shake and your heart beats fast. The shakiness will go away when the stress does. Try stress relief techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
4. Smoking
Though some people do it because they hope it will ease stress, smoking can cause anxiety. Nicotine, the addictive drug in tobacco, gets into your bloodstream and makes your heart beat faster. This can make you feel anxious and cause your hands to shake. Talk to your doctor to get ideas on how to quit tobacco.
5.Lack of Vitamin B12
B12 plays big role in keeping your nervous system healthy. If you don’t eat meat or eggs, don’t drink milk, or if you take certain medications, you might have lower-than-normal levels of this vitamin. This can cause your hands to shake or make your arms and legs feel numb and tingly. Your doctor can tell you if you need to take supplements.
6. Pheochromocytoma
This is a long word for a rare tumor that grows in your adrenal gland. Though the tumor is usually benign, it makes your blood pressure go way up. It could make you shake as well as cause heavy sweating, shortness of breath, and headache. The tumor can also lead to heart disease and stroke, so it’s best to remove it with surgery.
7. Brain Disorders
If you’ve had a stroke or a traumatic brain injury, the muscles in your hands may have a mind of their own. Ask your doctor about medication or occupational therapy to manage shakiness. And steer clear of caffeine, nicotine, or anything else that makes the symptoms worse.
8. Too Much Caffeine
Can’t do without your morning coffee? Have a cup or two, then cut yourself off. Caffeine is a stimulant, so the same natural chemical that helps you wake up will also make your hands shake if you have too much. Coffee isn’t the only culprit. You can also find caffeine in over-the-counter headache medicine, chocolate, and some sodas.
9. Parkinson’s Disease
When you have this condition, your hand shakes because brain cells that tell your muscles to move get damaged. The shaking usually starts on one hand, but over time may spread to the other. You may also move more slowly, have trouble with balance, or find that your arms and legs stiffen up. The main treatment for Parkinson’s tremors is medication and sometimes surgery for better muscle control.
