why do i shake?

Question

for years i have had a slight tremour in my hands, if i hold a piece of paper you can really notice it. just lately it has gotten a little bit worse. is this some thing caused by my diet?

Answer 1

There are many reasons for your shaky hands.....It's hard to guess it without seeing it and without taking some exams....Diabetes, tiredness, anxiety, stress etc..
But also movement disorder called Essential Tremors (ET)....ET usually runs in a familly and can affect at any age.

Here are some facts:

There is one movement disorder that you might wonna look at. It's called Essential Tremors (ET).
It runs in a family, so if you have someone esle who shakes too this could be a good clue.
Although essential tremor can affect almost any part of your body, trembling occurs most often in your hands, especially when you try to do simple tasks such as drinking a glass of water, tying your shoelaces, writing or shaving. Sometimes, you may also have trembling of your head, voice or arms.

Essential tremor is the most common of the many movement disorders.
Essential tremor often begins gradually. Sometimes it appears during adolescence. More often, though, tremors begin in mid- to late life.

The most common sign is a trembling, up-and-down movement of your hands, although your arms, legs, head and even your tongue and voice box (larynx) also may be affected. Most people have tremors in both hands. Some people have tremors in only one hand, though the tremors often progress to include both hands.

Tremors usually occur only when you engage in a voluntary movement, such as drinking a glass of water, writing or threading a needle. Actions requiring fine-motor skills — using utensils or small tools, for example — may be especially difficult. Fatigue, anxiety and temperature extremes make the signs worse, but tremors usually disappear when you're asleep or at rest.

Some people have relatively mild tremors throughout their lives, while others develop more severe tremors and increased disability over time. Effects of worsening tremors may include:

Difficulty holding a cup or glass without spilling
Difficulty eating normally
Difficulty putting on makeup or shaving
Difficulty talking, if your voice box or tongue is affected
Difficulty writing — handwriting may become increasingly large, shaky and illegible
The inability to perform actions requiring fine-motor skills, such as playing an instrument or drawing
About half of all cases of essential tremor appear to occur because of a genetic mutation. This is referred to as benign familial tremor. Genes are information centers in your cells that control your body's growth, development and function. A mutation in just one gene can greatly alter the way your body works. Researchers have identified two genes that appear to be involved in essential tremor. It's possible that mutations in other genes may also lead to the condition.

Exactly what causes essential tremor in people without a known genetic mutation isn't clear. Doctors do know that the problem occurs in the brain circuits that control your movements. Studies using an imaging technique called positron emission tomography (PET) scanning show that certain parts of the brain — including the thalamus — have increased activity in people with essential tremor. More research is needed to understand the precise mechanism behind the disease
You'll receive a diagnosis of essential tremor only after your doctor has ruled out other possible causes for your symptoms. For that reason, you may undergo blood, urine and neurological tests to check for problems such as thyroid disease, heavy metal poisoning, drug side effects and Parkinson's disease.

In addition, your doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical and neurological exam that may include checking your tendon reflexes, your muscle strength and tone, your ability to feel certain sensations, and your posture and coordination.

The tremor itself may be evaluated in several ways, including performance tests in which you're asked to write, drink from a glass or hold a piece of paper.

U better check with ur doc what it might be....if ur shaking is too much and affects ur daily living....but again it might be just a question of having a good rest and eating healthy!

Well, if you need someone to talk to feel free to send me email:
[e-mail]

Answer 2

If you've had this for years then it is unlikely that it is your diet. If you were diabetic then you wouldn't have the shakes all the time, only when your sugars are low.
I think it is a nerve problem, some people are just like that. With age it gets worse but I don't think you have Parkinson's.
I know a couple of people who only get slight shakes in their hands when they are writing. And if somebody is watching them writing then they get it a little worse.
If you are worried even the tiniest bit then you should pay a visit to your doctor.

Answer 3

Hand tremors may be caused by several things..
1. You could be hungry...most diabetics i know have this tremors when they feel hungry. This is because their blood sugar levels drop causing their nerves to somewhat quiver. So...check your sugar level.
2. You could be doing some "labor intensive" work that demands more effort from your hands..like drawing or sketching for long hours, carving, doing carpentry..etc..then you suddenly wash your hands with cold water. This will make the nerves in your hands feel a little "shock". And if you have been doing this for sometime, the nerves in your hands will keep on shaking. It is better to rest your hands first after a hard work, then wash it with warm water.
3.You could be having thyroid problems. Get a doctor's opinion about this. He might ask you to have a blood test called T3, T4.
4. You could be developing symptoms of SLE. Patients with SLE develop tremors not just with the hands but all over the body. Get a doctor's opinion about t his.

Answer 4

I'm 14 and my hands shake, i have the same problem holding a pencil & a pen- i'll check back on here to see if answers can help me too. thanksxxx

Answer 5

Stace - a fine tremor of the hands is NOT indicative of Parkinsons Disease. There are many reasons why it happens - most of them harmless. Also some medications can cause this as a side effect.

Read this:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=375

Answer 6

Yow. Around here that's Parkinson's. Read up on it. Michael J. Fox has it. My husband saw a cure recently in one of his health newsletters. Keep looking.

Answer 7

If you drink a lot of alcohol take vitamin B and Thiamin tablets or stop drinking

Answer 8

your nervous system, make sure your eating good foods and getting regular exercise and relaxation.

Avoid stimulants.

Answer 9

You may need to go to the doctor, sounds like Parkinson's to me, but it could also be you sugar levels. Get checked out if I were you.

Answer 10

it could be alcohol if you drink, i have the same problem and my doctor told me i have an adrenaline surplus in my body