There are five different subcategories of action tremor:. Medical experts have further classified the different categories of body tremors into different types. The characteristic Parkinsonian tremor PT is a relatively slow tremor that begins in the fingers.
In time, the tremor may progress to the forearm. Essential tremor typically occurs on both sides of the body, but symptoms are more noticeable on the dominant side. The characteristic feature of essential tremor is a tremor in the hands and arms during action and sometimes at rest. A cerebellar tremor occurs when a person is about to complete a purposeful movement. A cerebellar tremor is low in frequency and high in amplitude. Frequency refers to the speed of the tremor, while the amplitude is the degree of movement of the body part.
Doctors typically diagnose cerebellar tremors in people with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. Dystonic tremors involve involuntary twisting or jerking of the limbs. Certain 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 age. All people have a physiologic tremor , a high-frequency, low-amplitude tremor that occurs at rest and during movement.
However, the following factors may exacerbate this type of tremor:. In some cases, body tremors are due to a dysfunction in the deep areas of the brain that control movement. This type of dysfunction may occur as a result of the following neurological conditions:. Certain medications may also cause body tremors. Examples include:. Some other potential causes of body tremor can include:. When diagnosing body tremors, a doctor may use physical and neurological examinations and diagnostic tests.
The physical examination involves checking the following:. Specific treatments may help to reduce the frequency and severity of body tremors. What treatment a person receives will depend on the cause, type, and severity of their tremor. Medications can help to manage body tremors.
The table below shows the different classes of drug a doctor may prescribe for body tremors, along with examples of each. In some cases, doctors have successfully used Botox for tremors. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a nonsurgical procedure to help control body tremors.
Examples include focused ultrasound and radiofrequency ablation. They occur without visible movement, which external tremors produce. The causes of internal tremors are not well understood, and current research is limited. However, doctors tend to believe that these tremors stem from the same neurological causes of external tremors.
A study published in found a link between tremors and social anxiety. Some researchers have also suggested that internal tremors may produce physical movement too slight to detect. Authors of a study have suggested that internal tremors are early, unusual symptoms of movement disorders, such as PD.
Other researchers have proposed that anyone can experience internal tremors, but they are more pronounced in people with PD, MS, and ET. PD is a neurological disease that results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
It usually occurs in people over 60 years old. These symptoms may progress quickly or slowly, and they can make daily activities difficult.
Tremors are not always the most evident symptom of PD, though many people with the condition have tremors. Initially, a person may only experience a tremor in one limb. As the condition progresses, the tremor can spread to both sides of the body. Strong emotions and stress can make tremors worse. There is no cure for PD. It is a chronic condition that progresses over time. However, there are several treatment options.
This can help to treat advanced PD. A doctor may recommend surgery for people who do not respond to medication. The primary type is called deep brain stimulation DBS. These stimulate targeted areas to alleviate some symptoms of PD.
DBS can also reduce the need for certain drugs, and this may especially benefit people experiencing unpleasant side effects. MS is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms of MS usually develop between the ages of 20 and They can include:. The condition may get worse over time. It occurs equally in men and women, and can affect all ethnic groups.
Tremors are usually the only symptom of essential tremor. In the early stages of the condition tremors may only be noticed periodically and may be very mild. It is possible for symptoms to plateau — where the condition remains stable without worsening for many years.
Essential tremor most commonly affects the arms, hands, and head. It can also affect the jaw, face, and vocal cords and, rarely, the torso and legs. There is considerable individual variation as to the severity of the condition. Symptoms can differ from person to person and change from day to day. Three distinct types of tremor can be observed in the condition:. Factors that can increase the severity of tremors include fatigue, anxiety, foods containing caffeine eg: chocolate, cola, coffee , excessive alcohol, and smoking.
Diagnosis of essential tremor is based on medical history, family history, physical examination, and assessment of symptoms. There is no specific test to diagnose essential tremor. Blood tests may be done to determine if tremor symptoms are due to a side effect of certain prescription drugs eg: dopamine, lithium, tricyclic antidepressants , chemical poisoning eg: alcohol, arsenic, caffeine, DDT, lead, nicotine , or some other disorder eg: hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, liver disease, vitamin B12 deficiency.
Treatment of essential tremor aims to relieve its symptoms. However, if the tremor does not interfere with daily living, treatment may not be necessary.
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