How do tremors occur

Your health care provider might test you for those as well. In some cases, the tremors might be related to other factors. To find out for certain, your health care provider may have you try to:. Propanolol blocks the stimulating action of neurotransmitters to calm your trembling. It is usually avoided in patients with asthma, emphysema, congestive heart failure or heart block, and should be used with caution by people with diabetes who are on insulin.

These drugs may reduce exercise tolerance, lower blood pressure or heart rate, exacerbate depression and cause impotence. Other adrenergic blockers with fewer side effects include atenolol, nadolol, metoprolol and timolol.

Primidone controls the actions of neurotransmitters. This is usually short-lived. Sedation is another common side effect and can be reduced by following a slowly escalating dose schedule. If primidone or propranolol are not effective by themselves, a combination of both may provide relief for some patients. Gabapentin and topiramate are two other anti-seizure medicines that are sometimes prescribed for essential tremor. In some cases, benzodiazepines such as alprazolam or clonazepam might be suggested.

For essential tremor in your hands, botulinum toxin Botox injections have shown some promise in easing the trembling. They work by slightly relaxing the overactive muscles. The injections are targeted to the specific muscles that are involved in the abnormal movement, while avoiding uninvolved muscles.

Botox injections are typically recommended for patients with severe head tremor, and several studies have shown that the injections may significantly help head and voice tremors. For severe tremors, a stimulating device deep brain stimulator surgically implanted in your brain may help. Essential tremor is usually not dangerous, but it can certainly be frustrating. Tremors are apparent upon visual inspection.

Your doctor may request that you write or hold an object to evaluate the severity of your tremor. Your doctor may also collect blood and urine samples to check for signs of thyroid disease or other medical conditions. The doctor may order a neurological exam. This exam will check the functioning of your nervous system. It will measure your:. Your doctor may also order an electromyogram, or EMG.

This test measures involuntary muscle activity and muscle response to nerve stimulation. If you get treatment for the underlying condition causing the tremor, that treatment may be enough to cure it.

Treatments for tremors include:. There are some medications that are commonly used to treat the tremor itself. Your doctor may prescribe them for you.

Medications may include:. Botox injections may also relieve tremors. These chemical injections are often given to people who have tremors that affect the face and head. Physical therapy may help strengthen your muscles and improve your coordination. The use of wrist weights and adaptive devices, such as heavier utensils, may also help relieve tremors. Brain stimulation surgery may be the only option for those with debilitating tremors. During this operation, the surgeon inserts an electrical probe into the portion of your brain responsible for the tremors.

Once the probe is in place, a wire feeds from the probe into your chest, under your skin. The surgeon places a small device in your chest and attaches the wire to it. This device sends pulses to the probe to stop the brain from producing tremors. If your tremor is caused by a certain medicine, stopping that medicine usually makes the tremor go away. If you find that caffeine and other stimulants trigger your tremors, it may be helpful to cut them from your diet.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. See, Play and Learn Videos and Tutorials. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. For You Children Patient Handouts. What is a tremor? What are the types of tremor? There are several types of tremor, including Essential tremor , sometimes called benign essential tremor.

This is the most common type. It usually affects your hands, but it can also affect your head, voice, tongue, legs, and trunk. Parkinsonian tremor , which is a common symptom in people who have Parkinson's disease.

An occupational therapist can help people living with tremors to continue to engage in daily activities. If anxiety or panic is responsible for a tremor, a person may benefit from practicing relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises.

For essential tremor, a doctor may prescribe beta-blockers , such as propranolol, metoprolol, or nadolol. A doctor may also recommend anti-seizure medication, such as primidone. Doctors often prescribe disease-specific drugs, such as levodopa and carbidopa, to manage advanced cases.

Beta-blockers, anti-anxiety drugs, and anticonvulsive medications are among the treatment options for people with MS-related tremors. If doctors cannot determine the cause of tremors, they may prescribe tranquilizers.

Some may prescribe injections of botulinum toxin, or Botox , though these can lead to weakness in the fingers. If a person does not respond to medication or has a severe tremor that significantly impacts their life, a doctor may recommend interventions such as deep brain stimulation DBS.

DBS requires a doctor to place a small generator under the skin in the upper chest. It sends electrical signals to electrodes implanted in the thalamus, which is the part of the brain that coordinates and controls some involuntary movements. The hands may shake more as a person ages. Certain medications, substances such as caffeine, and anxiety can also cause tremors.