Introduction
A trembling of the hands occurs in many people in different forms. The trembling of the hands can have many causes. Some causes are harmless, others are based on serious diseases.
The fact that our muscles tremble is basically a completely normal process of the body, which among other things ensures that our muscles are ready for action more quickly. Normally, however, the tremor is so slight that it is hardly visible, if at all. For example, if you stretch out your hand, you can often notice a slight tremor of the hands, which is quite normal.
However, if there is physical or mental exhaustion or excitement, for example, the tremor can increase and become visible on the outside, which is unpleasant for many people. But not only such harmless explanations are possible for the tremor, also neurological or organic diseases can be the trigger. The tremor can sometimes become so strong that everyday activities can no longer be performed. This is especially the case when the tremor does not occur at rest but during movement. Those affected often feel their quality of life is severely restricted.
Causes for trembling of the hands
Often, the tremor of our hands is an increased physiological tremor. In cold weather, for example, it can increase, it is used by our body to produce energy and heat. Increased trembling of the hands can occur as a result of nervousness, excitement and fear, but also as a result of high caffeine and nicotine consumption.
If alcohol consumption is too high and chronic, muscle trembling can be the result of short-term or long-term alcohol withdrawal. Besides these causes, organic diseases can also be behind the hand tremor. In order to draw conclusions about a disease, nerves, brain and muscles are usually examined diagnostically.
Drugs can also be used as triggers for increased tremor. These drugs include valproate, lithium and some drugs from the group of antidepressants, antiarrhythmics, psychotropic drugs, cytostatics (drugs used in chemotherapy) and immunosuppressants. Overactive thyroid or parathyroid glands can also cause hand tremors.
Patients are characterized by a strong restlessness and nervousness. In addition, low blood sugar levels, vitamin B12 deficiency and low potassium levels can cause tremors. Under severe psychological stress and strain situations, a highly pronounced tremor symptomatology can occur.
In this case, tremor is usually not limited to the hands but affects the entire body. In the course of the mental stress of soldiers during the First World War, the so-called “war tremor” was first described in the post-war period, in which men were so traumatized that this triggered strong trembling attacks in them, and in some cases paralysis was also experienced. In the case of a strongly psychologically caused tremor, one speaks of a psychogenic or mental tremor.
A psychogenic tremor occurs suddenly and usually disappears again suddenly. In case of a psychogenic tremor, a psychiatrist should be consulted for treatment. Stress or strain does not always trigger a psychogenic tremor immediately.
In most cases it is more likely to be an increased normal muscle tremor, which most people experience when they are excited. Shaking is an evolutionary process in anxiety and stress situations. The body produces heat and energy through the tremor and thus prepares itself for an increased effort, such as an escape.
A strong trembling of the hands can occur during alcohol withdrawal or alcohol poisoning. The tremor is characterized by a very high frequency and usually occurs in the form of a holding and intention tremor. In the case of alcohol withdrawal, the tremor improves relatively quickly after further consumption of alcohol, which is of course not very conducive to complete abstinence from alcohol.
The tremor can be a sign of predilection, usually accompanied by increased sweating, severe irritability and sleep disturbances. Sometimes sensory disorders such as hallucinations can also occur. After two to three days of alcohol withdrawal, a predelir can turn into a dangerous alcohol withdrawal disorder.
Alcohol stimulates GABA receptors in the brain cells. GABA is a damping messenger substance. At the same time, alcohol leads to an inhibition of glutamate receptors.
Glutamate is an excitatory messenger substance, i.e. quasi the antagonist of GABA.If chronic alcohol consumption occurs, the body reacts with an increased formation of glutamate receptors. If the alcohol withdrawal then causes the alcohol effect to cease, the increased glutamate effect due to the higher receptor density leads to increased excitement. This increased excitement is responsible for various withdrawal symptoms, such as increased muscle tremor.
Both too high (hypertension) and too low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause hands to tremble. Trembling when blood pressure is high is one of the early symptoms associated with high blood pressure. It is often accompanied by headaches and concentration problems.
Similar symptoms also occur when blood pressure is too low and are more typical when blood pressure is too low than when it is too high. Too low blood pressure is often accompanied by a feeling of weakness, dizziness and trembling. If a tremor is caused by blood pressure, it is sometimes referred to as orthostatic tremor.
“Orthostatic” means that it affects the upright posture. This orthostatic tremor usually occurs when the blood pressure is too low and is usually accompanied by dizziness, stance and gait difficulties and ringing in the ears. Sometimes a brief disturbance of consciousness in the sense of fainting can also occur.
