Tremor - Find a specialist and information

Leading Medicine Guide Editors
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Leading Medicine Guide Editors

Tremor is the technical term for involuntary shaking that occurs in a functional region of the body. These functional regions include the arms, legs and head. The characteristic oscillating trembling movement arises from unintentional muscle excitation, which is perceived by the affected person as a movement disorder.

Further information on tremor and selected tremor specialists can be found below.

ICD codes for this diseases: G25.0, G25.1, G25.2, R25.1

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Article overview

Definition: What is a tremor?

A tremor, also known as uncontrolled shaking, is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle movement that can occur in various parts of the body, including

  • Hands,
  • arms,
  • head,
  • vocal cords,
  • trunk and
  • legs.

The symptoms of tremor can take the form of action tremor (trembling during movement) or rest tremor (trembling at rest).

Often stress and cold can cause a temporary tremor, while neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroidism, multiple sclerosis or other neurological disorders can cause a permanent tremor.

Diagnosing the underlying cause plays a crucial role in finding a suitable tremor treatment. A neurologist is the appropriate specialist for tremor diagnosis and treatment.

Tremor

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Causes of a tremor

Tremor causes can be very diverse:

External influences: This is where the body reacts to certain environmental conditions. The cold tremor, for example, helps to generate additional heat for the body through movement. A tremor can also occur with exhaustion if the muscles are overstrained and the tension can no longer be maintained.

Mental conditions: Stress, tension and fear can also cause mental stress to manifest itself in the form of a tremor. Distraction can help in the short term, but in the long term it is necessary to work through the mental problems in order to relieve the tension in the body.

Essential tremor: This tremor is a special case, as the exact cause has not yet been conclusively clarified. However, a genetic origin seems likely, as it tends to run in families.

Accompanying symptoms of a disease: There are a number of diseases in which tremor can occur as a symptom:

Symptoms: How does a tremor manifest itself?

A tremor manifests itself through involuntary, rhythmic muscle movements, which are usually perceived in the form of trembling. The symptoms of a tremor can vary depending on the type and cause of the tremor and can affect different parts of the body.

A tremor can occur as a movement or action tremor, i.e. it occurs or intensifies during targeted movements or when holding a position. A resting tremor, on the other hand, occurs when the muscles are relaxed and the body part is not being used.

Tremor

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When should you see a doctor for a tremor?

This is the most important question with such a diffuse symptom. In most cases, tremor has no pathological cause that requires medical treatment. However, this does not mean that you should wait and see if the tremor goes away on its own if the symptoms are severe.

The doctor who specializes in neuromuscular and cerebral complaints is called a neurologist. However, a visit to the family doctor can be a first step. Tremors sometimes occur for very trivial reasons such as anemia or magnesium deficiency.

A visit to the doctor is essential if:

  • the tremor persists for a long time and does not go away
  • The tremor cannot be traced back to a clear cause
  • the tremor recurs with certain movements

Tremor treatment

The treatment of tremor depends on its cause.

In the case of an essential tremor, beta-blockers and anticonvulsants are used to reduce the intensity of the tremor.

In the case of a psychogenic tremor, antidepressants, anxiolytics or benzodiazepines can be prescribed in acute cases. For a permanent solution, however, the doctor will prescribe psychological support from a therapist.

If the tremor is a concomitant symptom of a primary disease, this must be treated.

Conclusion

To summarize, tremor, or uncontrolled shaking, can be caused by a variety of factors. It is important to see a doctor if tremors persist or recur in order to determine the underlying cause and have it treated. With proper diagnosis and treatment, tremor can be successfully controlled and even eliminated.

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