Why Are My Hands Shaking? Hands Shaking Causes and Solutions
Do you ever notice your hands shaking when you hold a cup of coffee or sign your name? If you’ve ever wondered, ‘Why are my hands shaking?’ you’re not alone. Hand tremors can be scary, bringing worry and concern about having underlying health issues. The complex mechanism of hand tremor can be based on various reasons, ranging from temporary stress to serious neurological diseases such as Essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. Let’s explore the world of hand tremors, breaking down the potential reasons behind your hands’ shakiness.
What Are Hand Tremors?
Hand tremors are involuntary, rhythmic hand movements that can manifest as hands shaking or trembling. They can also be oscillatory, with back-and-forth movements of the hands and fingers. These are a result of abnormal activity in the brain regions which are responsible for controlling movement. These tremors can occur at rest or during intentional movements and can affect a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks which require coordination and precision.
The Types of Hand Tremors
The common types of tremors have different cause distribution and characteristics.
Essential Tremor (ET)
Essential tremor is a common cause of hand tremors. It is a neurological disorder that causes rhythmic shaking, most commonly in the hands, during an “action”. This means that when doing any task, one can have tremors like holding a cup, using a utensil, or writing. Though essential tremor isn’t life-threatening, it can substantially affect a person’s quality of life. Essential tremors may also affect other body parts, such as the head, voice or legs.
Parkinson’s Disease Tremors
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which affects movement. Tremors sometimes begin on one side of the body and can spread to the other side over time, accompanied at times by slowness, rigidity and balance problems. Shakiness associated with Parkinson’s disease typically occurs when the affected area part is at rest and decreases or stops during purposeful movement.
Psychogenic Tremor
Emotional tension and psychological causes are certain reasons that can lead to psychogenic tremors at times. In contrast to other types of tremors, this tremor might come and go and usually disappears when the patient is distracted.
Physiological Tremor
This is a normal and usually unnoticed tremor, which can be enhanced by certain conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia or anxiety. It can be worsened by factors such as caffeine, fatigue, nicotine or certain medications. Physiological tremors usually affect both hands and are more noticeable when holding a position or performing a fine movement, usually not requiring any treatment.
Hands Shaking Causes
If you find yourself asking, “Why do my hands shake for no reason?” here are some possible triggers to consider.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are well-known triggers for hand tremors. The body’s natural response to stress involves the release of hormones such as adrenaline, which can increase muscle tension and lead to shaky hands. While these tremors are usually temporary, chronic stress or anxiety may contribute to more persistent symptoms.
Fatigue
A tired body and mind are more prone to tremors. Lack of adequate sleep and physical exhaustion can contribute to shaky hands. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene and managing fatigue can help alleviate these tremors.
Caffeine
Excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to increased excitability of the nervous system, resulting in tremors. For some individuals, even moderate amounts of caffeine can trigger shaky hands. It’s important to be mindful of personal tolerance levels and adjust caffeine intake accordingly.
Dehydration
Insufficient intake of fluid may result in dehydration, affecting the normal functioning of muscles and nerves. Dehydration-induced tremors can often be remedied by ensuring proper hydration.
Low Blood Sugar
Episodes of low blood sugar, often associated with conditions such as diabetes or excessive insulin use, can lead to hand tremors. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels through a balanced diet and regular meals can help prevent such fluctuations.
Medication Side Effects
Certain medications, including those prescribed for asthma, mood disorders, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may list hand tremors as a side effect. If you suspect that your medication is causing tremors, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare provider to explore alternative options.
Managing Hand Tremors: How to Stop Shaky Hands?
If your hands shake because of stress, essential tremors or another medical condition, there are methods and devices like the VILIM ball that can reduce tremors and improve the use of your hands. Some strategies focus on long-term tremor mitigation, while others can offer immediate relief when shaking becomes disruptive. We share practical steps you can take to regain control and reduce those hand tremors when you most need it.
How to Naturally Relieve Shaky Hands?
For many, lifestyle changes can greatly lessen tremor intensity and increase the overall steadiness of the hands. Here are some home remedies that can help in shaking hands, and you can practice them regularly:
- Reduce caffeine and stimulants — Caffeine, nicotine, and some medications stimulate the nervous system, which can make tremors more pronounced. Cutting back might reduce tremors over time.
- Hydrate — Even mild dehydration can hamper nerve function, contributing to muscle tremors. Drinking enough water ensures your muscles and nerves function properly.
- Eat a highly nutritious diet — Deficiencies in B12, magnesium, and vitamin D can contribute to nerve dysfunction that worsens tremors. A well-rounded diet that includes these nutrients will help foster healthy muscle control.
- Enhance relaxation techniques – Deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation are effective ways to calm tremors produced by anxiety and help strengthen overall nerve health.
Through adjustments of this nature, you might even find that over time, you shake less and swell less, giving definite stability to your hands.
Exercises for Shaky Hands
Hand-strengthening exercises can enhance coordination, dexterity, and muscle control, as well as steady shaky hands over time. You might try adding the following workouts to your daily routine:
- Rotating the wrist – Slowly begin to rotate your wrist in a circle to help build strength and flexibility in the hands.
- Squeeze a stress ball — Regularly squeezing a soft ball can improve grip strength and reduce tremors.
- Finger tapping exercise – Tap each finger on your thumb in a sequential order to increase dexterity and improve fine motor skills.
If you can execute these exercises regularly for shaky hands, you will achieve better hand control and reduced intensity of tremors over a period.
How to Stop Shaky Hands Instantly?
Hand tremors may also come on suddenly and require urgent management. If you find yourself in a situation where handshakes are impeding daily life, try these two quick tips to take back control:
- Breathe slowly – Anxiety and stress can cause involuntary shaking, so focusing on your breath slowly and with intention calms your nervous system.
- Anchor to a stable object — If needed, gripping a table, chair or firm surface can help ground you and dampen tremors.
- Hydrate – If dehydration is the problem, a glass of water may help restore muscle motor functions, thus easing the tremors.
- Get some food — Low blood sugar can suddenly trigger tremors. A protein-rich snack or a piece of fruit can help to balance blood sugar levels and end the shaking.
When the hand-shaking gets to be too much, these straightforward techniques can make the difference, providing immediate relief and allowing you to move forward as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Understanding why my hands are shaking is the first step toward effective management. Serious tremors may require medication, assistive devices, or DBS in severe cases. If suspecting serious factors, consulting a healthcare professional is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Our unique medical device, the VILIM ball, and the STEADY HANDS app, available on iOS and Android, can help you better manage and understand your tremors. Click here and learn more about it.
