Hand Tremor That Won’t Go Away? Causes, Warning Signs, and Next Steps
A reader wrote in after noticing a new hand tremor that seems to be getting worse. They wanted to know if something small or seasonal could be causing it.
It’s a fair question. A shaky hand can happen for many reasons, from stress, caffeine, poor sleep, or medication side effects to conditions that need medical care.
A new hand tremor that keeps getting worse should not be ignored, even if it starts small. A tremor is an involuntary shaking movement, and it most often affects the hands, though it can also involve the arms, head, voice, legs, or torso.
MedlinePlus states that tremors can come and go, or they can be constant. They can happen on their own or be linked to another condition. The only way to truly diagnose the cause if by visiting a doctor.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a condition called essential tremor is one common cause of shaky hands. It can begin gradually, often shows up first in the hands, and may be more noticeable on one side of the body. It also tends to get worse with movement, like drinking from a glass, tying shoelaces, or doing other simple tasks.
A tremor in one hand can look different
A hand tremor might feel like a symptom you try to explain away at first. Too much coffee. Bad sleep. Stress. Then it happens again.
Harvard Health states that hand tremors can happen at rest or during activity. A resting tremor may show up when the hand is relaxed, while an activity tremor may appear when reaching, writing, holding a cup, or stretching the hand out.
Baylor Scott & White Health breaks hand tremors into rest tremors, action tremors, and postural tremors. Rest tremors happen when the hands are relaxed. Action tremors happen during movement. Postural tremors appear when holding the hands against gravity, like holding the arms out.
Understanding which you’re experiencing can help you understand the cause. Regardless, seeing a doctor is key whenever your health changes.
Could something small be causing it?
There are a lot of causes for hand tremors, for example, too much caffeine can make shakiness worse. So can stress, anxiety, fatigue, sleep loss, and even extreme temperatures.
For instance, the Mayo Clinic adds that essential tremor symptoms may worsen with emotional stress, fatigue, caffeine, or extreme temperatures.
Harvard Health also highlights that caffeine, stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, and an overactive thyroid can intensify a normal body tremor and make it more noticeable.
In some cases, cutting back on caffeine or managing stress may help if those are the real triggers.
That said, “low-key” does not mean “safe to ignore forever.” If the tremor is new, keeps coming back, or is getting worse, it deserves medical attention.
Other causes to consider
MedlinePlus adds that tremors can be linked to neurologic disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. They can also be caused by certain medicines, alcohol withdrawal, toxin exposure, liver or kidney failure.
Harvard Health found that medication-induced tremor can happen with some medicines, including bupropion and amiodarone. It also notes that tremors after a stroke, or tremors linked to cerebellar damage, may affect movement and coordination.
Not everything points to the same problem and that’s why seeing a doctor is important.
Clues that help explain what’s going on
Pay attention to when the shaking happens. Does it show up when the hand is resting? Does it appear when you write, eat, button a shirt, or hold a fork? Does it get worse after coffee, poor sleep, stress, or a new medication?
The Mayo Clinic states that essential tremor usually happens when using the hands. Parkinson’s-related tremors are often more noticeable when the hands are resting in the lap or at the sides of the body. Parkinson’s disease may also involve slow movement, stooped posture, or dragging the feet.
Watch for shaky voice, trouble writing, trouble holding utensils, balance problems, speech problems, stiffness, sudden onset, weakness, numbness, or changes in walking.
MedlinePlus states that doctors may check whether the tremor happens at rest or during action, where it is located, how often it happens, and how strong it is.
If experiencing a recurring hand tremor and it’s getting worse, see a doctor. Don’t put it off.
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