It’s unsettling to experience your body shaking or trembling without intending to. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why Am I Trembling?”, you’re not alone. Tremors, which are involuntary shaking movements in parts of your body, are a common experience. While occasional trembling can be perfectly normal, persistent or worsening tremors can be a sign of an underlying issue that may require medical attention.
Normal Tremors: Everyday Reasons You Might Be Shaking
Experiencing slight tremors is a normal physiological phenomenon. If you extend your hands in front of you, you’ll notice they aren’t perfectly still; this subtle movement is a normal tremor. However, sometimes these tremors become more pronounced.
This increased visibility of tremors often occurs due to various everyday factors, including:
- Age: As we get older, tremors can become slightly more noticeable.
- Stress, Fatigue, Anxiety, or Anger: Emotional and physical stress can trigger or worsen tremors.
- Stimulants: Consuming caffeine found in tea, coffee, and cola, as well as alcohol or nicotine from smoking, can induce trembling.
- Temperature Extremes: Feeling excessively hot or cold can also lead to body shakes.
Furthermore, certain medications and health conditions can also have tremors as a side effect. It is crucial to consult with your General Practitioner (GP) before discontinuing any prescribed medication, even if you suspect it’s causing tremors.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
If you are experiencing tremors or shaking hands and notice any of the following, it’s advisable to consult your GP:
- Worsening Tremors: If the shaking is gradually increasing in intensity over time.
- Impact on Daily Life: If the tremor is interfering with your everyday activities, such as eating, writing, or dressing.
Your doctor will assess your condition to rule out any underlying medical causes for the tremor and discuss potential treatment options if necessary.
Diagnosing the Cause of Your Tremors
During your GP appointment, the doctor will aim to determine the potential cause of your tremors. This process may involve a physical examination and questions regarding:
- Other Symptoms: Inquiring about any other symptoms you might be experiencing alongside the tremors.
- Current Medications: Reviewing your current medication list, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Medical History: Gathering information about your personal and family medical history, as some tremor types have a genetic component.
In many cases, a mild tremor that isn’t linked to another medical condition may not require specific treatment. However, your GP might recommend monitoring the tremor to ensure it doesn’t worsen over time.
If your tremor raises concerns about being a symptom of a more serious condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, your GP may refer you to a specialist for more detailed evaluations and tests.
Managing and Treating Tremors
If your tremors are significantly impacting your quality of life, your GP might prescribe medication to help manage them. It’s important to understand that medicine typically doesn’t cure tremors, but it can effectively reduce the severity of shaking or trembling.
Depending on your situation, you might need to take medication regularly or only as needed, such as before potentially stressful situations that tend to exacerbate your tremors.
For tremors affecting the head or voice, injections to block nerves and relax muscles might be recommended as a treatment option.
In rare and severe cases where tremors are not effectively managed by medication, brain surgery could be considered as a last resort treatment.
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Page last reviewed: 14 November 2023
Next review due: 14 November 2026
