Hand tremor is a condition often characterized by Parkinson's disease. When most people experience this condition, the first question that comes to mind is "Do I have Parkinson's disease?". In order to find answers to such questions, the person should first be examined and supported by a specialist. However, it should not be forgotten that many different factors and disorders can also cause this condition.
Hyperthyroidism can be seen in many different types of diseases, such as epilepsy and multipsclerosis. The factors that cause its occurrence should be determined after a good research and examination by a specialist physician. When this condition shows continuity in the person, when the tremors that start in one hand continue as two hands and cause suspicion, you can go to the neurology department to get support and treatment about this problem.
What is Hand Tremor? Why Does It Happen?
It is an involuntary and uncontrollable muscle movement known medically as tremor. The condition, which can be seen due to many different causes and diseases, can occur at any age, regardless of men and women. It can also be passed on genetically from one family to another. It can occur in situations where the person is usually very excited, sudden onset and change in feelings of anger or fear, or too much caffeine consumption. This condition, which is often associated with Parkinson's disease, can also develop due to different causes.
What are the Causes of Hand Tremor?
It is a condition that can develop due to different reasons in a person's life and when it continues for a long time, it can seriously interfere with doing daily tasks. The tremors that occur while eating, drinking water and holding a pen can prevent these processes from being performed. The causative factors and diseases among the causes are as follows:
Stress: The body may show different reactions in cases where there is a lot of anger and intense stress. Stress, which is among the causes of many diseases, can cause tremors in the person as it affects the nervous system and muscles.
Muscle Fatigue: Exercises and heavy work for a long time cause fatigue and contractions in the muscles. In such cases, tremors may occur, even for a short time.
Caffeine Consumption: Too much caffeine consumption can cause different health problems. Caffeine can cause palpitations as a result of excessive consumption and this can cause involuntary tremors.
Alcohol Consumption: People who consume alcohol excessively and continuously may experience tremors.
Stroke: Damage to the areas of the body responsible for movement and balance, along with blockage of the vessels in the brain, can cause severe tremors.
Trauma: Damage to brain cells as a result of physical blows and traumas can cause tremors in the hands and other limbs.
Side Effects of Medications: Consumption of different medications can cause some tremors that may occur with some side effects.
Epilepsy: People who have seizures with sudden contractions in the muscles, loss of consciousness and control may experience tremors in their hands.
Hyperthyroidism: If the thyroid gland secretes too much hormone, tremors in the hands may occur.
Multiple sclerosis (MS): If the cells of the nervous system are damaged, tremors may occur in the person.
Essential Tremor: This condition, which is thought to be genetic and mostly in people over the age of 60, is a neurological disease that can cause tremors in the hands and different parts of the body.
Parkinson's Disease: Parkinson's can occur when there is a decrease in the number of cells that produce the chemical dopamine in the brain. Unilateral or bilateral hand tremors can be seen due to Parkinson's disease.
What are the Symptoms Accompanying Hand Tremor?
Tremors, which mostly develop due to problems in the nervous system, may be accompanied by different symptoms. Depending on the underlying causes of tremor complaints, many symptoms may appear. These symptoms are as follows:
- Loss of sensation or power in some parts of the body
- Muscle spasm and weakness
- Balance problems
- Difficulty when moving
- Feeling sluggish
- Being tired
How is Hand Tremor Treated? What are the Treatment Methods?
Since it can develop due to different causes, it is important to first identify the underlying problems of the disease. The patient should be examined by a specialist physician and a detailed history of the disease should be learned. The doctor may order different tests when deemed necessary. As a result of the tests, the problem is identified and the appropriate treatment method is applied. Mostly, depending on the type of tremor and the underlying cause, medication is administered first. Sedatives, antiepileptics and beta-blockers are among the medications used.
Stopping the use of drugs that cause tremor can eliminate this problem. In alcohol-related tremors, quitting alcohol and receiving treatment provides a solution to this problem. In tremors due to Parkinson's disease, it may be possible to keep tremors at a certain level by using drugs that alleviate the disease. In this treatment, tremors are reduced and the person is enabled to perform daily routine tasks.
It is Very Important to Perform the Necessary Tests and Evaluation
Hand tremor can often cause anxiety and suggest Parkinson's disease. As a result of the symptoms and complaints that occur in the person, there are some procedures that need to be done in order to make a diagnosis. A specialist physician can diagnose the condition after an examination and some tests. During the examination, the patient's complaints and history should be well evaluated and should not be confused with other diseases. The patient may experience despair by self-diagnosing and thinking that he/she has Parkinson's disease. This situation also affects the mental health of the person. In such cases, the patient can be examined by a specialist physician to understand what the problem is and receive treatment.