A body tremor is an involuntary muscle contraction with a rhythmic pattern that causes shaking in one or more body parts.

This article outlines the dissimilar types of torso tremors and their causes. We as well describe the available treatment options for body tremors.

A woman holds her arm after experiencing one of her body tremors. Share on Pinterest
Resting and action tremors are involuntary muscle contractions, which may signify an underlying medical status.

Medical experts classify body tremors into ii categories. These categories are resting tremors and action tremors.

Resting tremors

Resting tremors occur in a body role that is relaxed and completely supported by gravity. For example, a person may experience a resting tremor in their easily when the hands are resting on their lap.

Resting tremors decrease during voluntary movements.

Action tremors

Action tremors occur during voluntary muscle movements.

At that place are 5 different subcategories of activeness tremor:

  • Kinetic tremor: Shaking occurs with any type of voluntary movement.
  • Intention tremor: Shaking occurs with target directed movements, such as touching the nose. The tremor typically worsens as a person draws closer to the target.
  • Chore specific tremor: Shaking is only present when performing highly skilled or goal oriented tasks. For example, a person may experience this tremor when writing, drawing, or speaking.
  • Postural tremor: Shaking occurs when trying to maintain a position against gravity, such as when belongings the arms outstretched.
  • Isometric tremor: Shaking occurs during a voluntary muscle contraction that does not involve movement. For example, a person may experience this tremor when holding a heavy object in a fixed position.

Medical experts have further classified the different categories of body tremors into unlike types.

The following table summarizes the categories and their associated types.

Read on for more item nigh some of these tremor types:

Parkinsonian tremor

Around lxx% of people with Parkinson's disease feel resting tremors.

The feature Parkinsonian tremor (PT) is a relatively wearisome tremor that begins in the fingers.

Doctors sometimes refer to PT as "pill-rolling tremor" because the motility resembles rolling pills or other modest items between the fingers. In time, the tremor may progress to the forearm.

Other symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:

  • slow movements
  • muscle rigidity
  • instability when standing or keeping residue

Essential tremor

Essential tremor typically occurs on both sides of the body, but symptoms are more than noticeable on the ascendant side.

The characteristic feature of essential tremor is a tremor in the easily and arms during action and sometimes at rest.

Essential tremor may also occur in other parts of the torso, including:

  • the head
  • the vocal cords
  • the legs and feet

Cerebellar tremor

A cerebellar tremor occurs when a person is virtually to complete a purposeful motility.

For example, a person may experience this type of tremor when bringing a fork to their mouth.

A cerebellar tremor is low in frequency and high in amplitude. Frequency refers to the speed of the tremor, while the amplitude is the caste of motility of the body role.

Doctors typically diagnose cerebellar tremors in people with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

Dystonic tremors

Dystonic tremors involve involuntary twisting or jerking of the limbs. Sure hand and arm positions may cause the tremors to stop.

Dystonic tremors are rare and typically occur in people who are under 50 years of historic period.

Physiologic tremor

All people have a physiologic tremor, a high-frequency, low-amplitude tremor that occurs at rest and during motion.

Physiologic tremors typically do not affect a person's day-to-mean solar day activities. However, the following factors may exacerbate this type of tremor:

  • stimulants, such every bit caffeine and nicotine
  • feet
  • fatigue
  • sure medications

When diagnosing body tremors, a dr. may use physical and neurological examinations and diagnostic tests.

Concrete and neurological exams

The physical exam involves checking the following:

  • whether musculus contractions occur at residual or during action
  • where the tremor occurs on the body
  • whether the tremor is bilateral on both sides or unilateral on 1 side only
  • tremor frequency and amplitude

When conducting a neurological examination, a doctor volition look for the following:

  • increased muscle stiffness
  • impaired balance
  • speech abnormalities

Other diagnostic tests

A medico may also order the following diagnostic tests to determine the cause of body tremors:

  • Blood and urine tests: These tests may help dominion out certain causes of body tremors, such every bit:
    • medication side effects
    • drug interactions
    • chronic heavy drinking
    • thyroid dysfunction
  • Diagnostic imaging tests: AnMRI or CT will aid find whatever encephalon damage that may be causing the tremors. A positron emission tomography scan (PET) or a SPECT process, where a healthcare professional injects a chemical into the vein, is sometimes advisable if a physician suspects Parkinson's.
  • Electromyogram (EMG): This exam records electric activity in the muscles. A doc may use it to measure out involuntary muscle activity in response to nerve stimulation.

Specific treatments may help to reduce the frequency and severity of body tremors. What treatment a person receives will depend on the crusade, blazon, and severity of their tremor.

Some treatment options follow here:

Medications

Medications tin can assistance to manage body tremors. The tabular array below shows the different classes of drug a doctor may prescribe for torso tremors, along with examples of each.

In some cases, doctors accept successfully used Botox for tremors.

Nonsurgical procedures

In some cases, a md may recommend a nonsurgical procedure to assist control body tremors. Examples include focused ultrasound and radiofrequency ablation.

Focused ultrasound

The thalamus is the part of the brain that plays a role in movement. Impairment or disruption to nerve cells in the thalamus tin can lead to muscle tremors.

Focused ultrasound delivers a fine beam of ultrasound waves to the dysfunctional nervus cells in the thalamus. This destroys the cells, thereby alleviating a person's tremors.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation uses radio waves to generate an electric current. This current heats the dysfunctional nerve and interrupts its ability to send and receive signals.

Surgery

Surgical interventions that may help to manage torso tremors include deep brain stimulation (DBS) and thalamotomy.

Deep encephalon stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is the most common surgical treatment for tremor. The procedure involves surgically implanting electrodes into the thalamus. A surgeon attaches electrodes to a device chosen a pulse generator, which they implant in a person'south chest.

The pulse generator sends an electrical current to the electrodes in the thalamus. The pulse then enters the thalamus, interrupting the tremor.

Thalamotomy

Thalamotomy is a surgical procedure that permanently destroys the problematic part of the thalamus.

Doctors normally reserve this surgery for a particularly severe tremor that has not responded to other treatments. Where possible, doctors will perform radiofrequency ablation as an alternative to thalamotomy.

Lifestyle changes

Some lifestyle changes may alleviate torso tremors or help people to manage their condition. Examples include:

  • eliminating or reducing tremor inducing substances, such as caffeine and nicotine
  • speech therapy to help manage song tremors
  • physical therapy to help improve muscle forcefulness, control, and coordination
  • occupational therapy to help people carry out their usual solar day-to-day activities

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing trunk tremors.

Researchers at NINDS are currently working to place genes that may atomic number 82 to early-onset essential tremor.

Other scientists are researching whether certain gene mutations or abnormalities can increase the risk of essential tremor.

Body tremors tin can sometimes betoken an underlying medical condition. Anyone who experiences body tremors should encounter a doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

A person who suspects that their tremor is a side result of medication should raise their concerns with a doctor. Where possible, the doc may accommodate the dose or recommend switching to an alternative medication.

A person should non stop taking a medication unless their medico says information technology is rubber to do so.

There are many different types of body tremors. The blazon a person experiences can sometimes indicate the cause.

Sometimes, body tremors are due to an underlying neurological condition, such every bit stroke, Parkinson's Affliction, or multiple sclerosis. Nonetheless, they may also be a side issue of medications, anxiety, fatigue, or stimulant use.

A doctor volition work to determine the cause and provide advisable treatments. Correct handling may reduce the frequency and severity of the tremors.