The tremor of the hands, legs… is an involuntary movement caused by the more or less rapid alternation of contractions and relaxations of the muscles. Cold, stress, fatigue, Parkinson’s, medication… 6 possible causes.
The tremors are, most of the time, completely harmless and provoked by cold, fear, a lack of sugar (hypoglycaemia) or fatigue, but can sometimes be the manifestation of a chronic illness. The causes are varied and the identification of the origin of a tremor will depend primarily on its context of appearance. Stress, fatigue, medication, illnesses… Tour de 6 possible causes a tremor with our neurology expert.
1. Cold
When one is cold too, the body begins to tremble by reflex. The rapid contraction of the muscles makes it possible to generate heat, intended to counter the effects of the cold. This mechanism has a modest and time-limited effectiveness, but nevertheless real.
2. A lack of sugar
The tremors can be due, for example, to a temporary lack of sugar in the blood (hypoglycemia).
3. Fever
Fever can cause tremors. In case of fever, it is by a modification of the “adjustment” of the central thermostat of the body linked to the presence of chemical mediators of inflammation, that the body begins to rise in temperature. Tremors thus respond to a physiological demand to increase body heat.
4. Stress, fear
“Essential tremor is a tremor when maintaining postures or an intention tremor, with a frequency of 5-8 Hz, often with a familial component and usually improved by alcohol but worsened by stress“explains Doctor Michel Vandenheede, neurologist, who also mentions the “accentuated physiological tremor” which resembles the essential tremor but whose movement is less ample and the frequency faster. This is the tremor occurring in the event of significant stress (speaking in public for example).
5. Taking certain medications
“Drug-induced tremors are rest tremors or action tremors“, recalls La Revue Prescribe in a review on drug-induced tremors. Drug-induced tremors are usually reversible on drug discontinuation or dose reduction. But for some drugs, the appearance of tremors is sometimes a sign of overdosecan we read on the website of the French Language Pneumology Society (SPLF). Essential tremors can also be secondary to taking certain medications such as:
- Psychotropics: neuroleptics used as antipsychotics, antidepressants, lithium, acid valproicanticholinesterases…
- Sympathomimetic substances including beta-2 stimulant bronchodilators
- Medicines for asthma or COPD
- Smoking cessation drugs (bupropione (or amfebutamone), varenicline)
6. Parkinson’s disease
“In the case of the Parkinson disease, the tremors are characteristic explains the doctor, it is about tremors at rest often asymmetrical predominantly in the hands, from 4 to 7 Hz (cycle per second), sparing the head except sometimes the chin”, explains Doctor Michel Vandenheede. The rest of the clinical examination shows other parkinsonian signs confirming the diagnosis (rigidity, slowness, frozen face, etc.)
What examinations in case of tremors?
Apart from a blood test (thyroid, blood sugar etc.), the doctor specifies that “very few tests are essential for diagnosis”. In case of doubt or of non-response to the treatments instituted, a electromyographic recording (needle stuck in the agonist and antagonist muscles) can be performed to make the most accurate diagnosis possible.
What treatment to reduce tremors?
Treatment will depend on the cause of the tremors and therefore the diagnosis. “If it is an accentuated physiological tremor, we can, for example, prescribe an appropriate diet in the event of repeated hypoglycaemia, increase blood pressure, treat possible hypothyroidism, or stop the drug that caused the appearance of the tremor. if it’s possible” concludes Doctor Vandenheede.
Thanks to Doctor Michel Vandenheede, neurologist.
Source : Site of the French Language Pneumology Society (SPLF)