Trembling is an involuntary movement that can affect any part of the body. It usually involves the hand and arms, but it may also affect the head, legs, toes or voice. The condition typically occurs as a sign of fear or as the body's reaction to cold weather. It may also result as a sign of various physical and psychological disorders. In some cases, trembling occurs with other symptoms such as muscle tension. A health care provider can assist in diagnosing and treating individual causes of trembling.
Medication
Some medications can induce trembling as a side effect. The trembling manifests from nervous system and muscle responses to certain medications. Medication-induced trembling can occur occasionally, in irregular intervals or with activity of muscles. Mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, stimulants and bronchodilators are some of the main culprits in medication-induced trembling, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. This type of trembling most often affects the head, arms and hands. It may also affect the voice and lower parts of the body. A health care provider can assist in finding alternative medications to prevent trembling or prescribe different dosages to reduce symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. The thyroid controls metabolism and affects the heart, bones, muscles and cholesterol. Possessing too much thyroid hormone in the body can accelerate many bodily functions and cause varying symptoms. The causes of hyperthyroidism include having one or more thyroid nodules, inflammation of the thyroid gland, ingesting too much iodine, Grave's disease and certain medications. The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service reports that women are five to 10 times more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men and it occurs more often in people older than 60 years. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include irritability, insomnia, weight loss, hand tremors, weakness and mood swings.
Anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. It's a normal reaction to stress and can be useful in alerting an individual to danger or as a motivator to get things done. However, some people experience disabling anxiety that can cause overwhelming and irrational dread about everyday situations. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America calls anxiety disorders the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older. It's common for those who experience anxiety to have uncomfortable physical sensations such as trembling, sweaty palms and stomachaches. High levels of anxiety can also cause trouble with concentrating, insomnia, muscle tension and irritability.
