If you notice someone's hands or body is trembling, you might assume that the person is nervous or has a drinking problem, and you may be right. But tremors can also signal a myrias of other maladies.
There are more than 20 different types of tremors. ESSENTIAL TREMORS, also known as POSTURAL TREMORS, are the mildest and the most common type. They usually affect the hands, but the head, arms, legs, larynx (voice box), and even the tongue can be affected as well.
Previously called SENILE TREMORS because they are common in older people, essential tremors can begin at any age. They do tend, however, to worsen as one gets older. In about half the cases, essential tremors run in families and are referred to as FAMILIAL TREMORS. In the other half, the cause is unknown (idiopathic).
Although medically benign, essential tremors are frequently embarassing and can make activities requiring fine finger movements, such as sewing, fly tying, and surgery are difficult, if not impossible. Thus, they interfere not only with quality of life but with careers as well. Interstingly, essential tremors tend to stop when the affected body part is at rest.
Some tremors are drug-induced and can be a tip-off to the overuse or abuse of caffeine, nicotine, tranquilizers, amphetamines, and cocaine. MORNING TREMORS are a dead giveaway for alcohol abuse. Tremors are also a common reaction to antipsychotic drugs, theophylline (for asthma), Dilantin (for epilepsy), and Compazine (a tranqiuilizer and antinausea medicine), as well as the herbal stimulants ephedra, ginkgo biloba, and ginseng.
Tremors sometimes signal Alkalosis, a pH imbalance (too little acid in body fluids). Other signs may include muscle twitching, light-headedness, numbness, and tingling. ALKALOSIS-RELATED TREMORS can be a clue to the eating disorder bulimia. The good news is that alkalosis is easily treated. The bad news is that if untreated, it can lead to Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), coma, and possibly death.
Tremors can also signal systemic disorders such as hypoglycemia (in both diabetics and others) and hyperthyroidism. And they can signal multiple sclerosis, kidney and liver disease, stroke, or even a brain tumor.
Another type of tremor occurs when your arm, leg, or other body part is at rest. Aptly named a RESTING TREMORS, this is one of the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease. Other early signs of Parkinson's may include a change in handwriting, loss of sense of smell, stumbling, and rigid posture.
A "pill-rolling" finger gesture is a unique sign of Parkinson's disease. The tremor looks like the thumb and forefinger are rolling a pill between them. This repetitive gesture can occur as often as 3 times per second. It is most noticeable when the hand is at rest or the person is under stress.
Our bodies are vibrating continuously. The only time we are perfectly still is when we are dead.
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