Not all tremors are harmless. In some cases, shaking hands may be linked to neurological conditions that affect how the brain communicates with muscles.
One common condition is essential tremor. It often runs in families and usually affects the hands during movement, such as writing, eating, or holding objects. Unlike Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor is not always linked to stiffness or slowed movement.
Parkinson’s disease can also cause hand tremors, especially while the hand is at rest. The tremor may begin on one side of the body and gradually become more noticeable over time. Other symptoms may include slower walking, muscle rigidity, and balance issues.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke provides detailed information about different types of tremors and neurological causes.
Certain medications can also trigger shaking. Some asthma medicines, antidepressants, mood stabilisers, and even thyroid medications may produce tremors as a side effect. Alcohol withdrawal can cause severe shaking as well.
This is why doctors do not look at tremors alone. They study timing, frequency, age, family history, medicines, and associated symptoms before identifying the real cause.
