Hand tremor
Tremor of the hands is a symptomatic phenomenon, indicating the onset or presence of certain pathological phenomena. But on its own it is not a nosological unit and does not carry absolutely the slightest semantic diagnostic load due to its large-scale distribution. Even in people who have a quick temper, trivial, and completely not suffering from the slightest neurologic pathology, there may be manifestations of tremor of the hands. For diagnostic purposes, its features, constancy or not, and still a significant group of characteristics are important. And most importantly, the presence of some more objective symptoms. It is also important - whether the individual has a tendency, pretends to be a tremor.
What is hand tremor?
Tremor is a concept not alien to any organ, it can affect individual parts of an individual's body or the entire body as a whole. There is a misconception that hand tremors are a more age-related disease affecting individual, at risk groups, segments of the population, more often those who abuse anything, but, in real life, disorders of the nervous system can affect people of any age group. And often this state is characterized by transientness. Usually, tremor does not affect the whole body, more often it's limbs, especially hands, sometimes even a simulation of such a symptom occurs, which requires a search for differences.
Tremor comes from the same Latin word and means jitter. These are fast vibrational motion patterns, characterized by rhythmic movements with some fairly explicit frequency, for example up to 10 Hz. The rarer meanings of the word tremor are fear, thunder, earthquake, horror, flicker and trembling. And in general, all these transcripts correspond with the symptoms of limb tremor. And for an individual, a disabling tremor of the extremities is really horror, as it knocks him out of the familiar habit of life.
There are many kinds of hand tremors, because the symptom itself is not specific enough, but its features allow us to understand what is the cause of such unpleasant phenomena. By duration, hand tremors can be transient, that is, short-term. Short-term is usually attached to a specific reason, removing it you can permanently get rid of it. Constant tremor of the hands is already a more threatening condition, which requires a clear explanation of the time of occurrence for the possibility of full-fledged aid and the search for the root cause.
Tremor of the hands can be detected and exposed by the patient himself and usually he does not immediately go to a specialist if the symptoms are not bright, and if the hands do not hold anything, everything falls out and splashes, interfering with the work, then the individual will find all the ways to get rid of it. The list of specialists that can be accessed is diverse due to the multifactoriality of the appearance of this disease. First priority still in such pathologies is to rely on a neurologist, but many endocrine, therapeutic, psychiatric and other pathologies can give a similar picture.
It is worth noting the symmetry of hand tremor, this is a significant symptom, indicating the presence of pathology in the neurological sphere, for example, one-sided or from both sides of the brain. Arm tremors can have symmetrical characteristics, that is, be the same, and maybe symmetric in terms of availability, but not symmetrical in terms of manifestation, that is, more expressive on the one hand. The very severity of these manifestations can be expressive, that is, clearly manifested and erased, that is, noticeable in specialized verification. The amplitude of the jitter can be high or low, depending on it, large sweeps or small sweeps. Often the individual is able to correct the power of trembling by strong-willed efforts, in particular, the causes of appearance, as well as the tremor force, influence this. Sometimes, correction with the help of will power is possible only at the onset of the disease, and in the future is completely impossible and does not depend on it. And sometimes the tremor of the hands is so great and does not submit to the slightest effort, which forces the individual to completely abandon his independent actions.
Tremor is such a vast concept that sometimes even individual cramps of limbs or muscles are called tremors by patients. This pathology requires a clear diff. Diagnosis and do not believe in a word. It is best to take a symptomatology or ask that relatives bring a video, if there is no obvious tremor. This protects both the doctor and the patient, because in case of availability it is possible to not miss a serious disabling disease, and also in some cases to calculate the simulator.
Tremor is also subdivided by the time of manifestation, it can be a tremor of rest disturbing the patient solely in the absence of load on the hands. Separate is the postural tremor of the hands, which is characterized by the appearance towards the end of the movement, that is, even when the action is pumped.
Causes of hand tremor in adults
The appearance of a tremor, summarizing, is divided into two largest groups. Any phenomena at the organism level in an individual can be divided into physiological defense mechanisms and pathological diseases. Physiological tremor of hands, although not a pathology, does not apply to a full-fledged norm, it is more like a functional disorder that is temporary in nature and has transient pathogenesis mechanisms. Such tremor of hands is characteristic for persons with a labile psyche or some peculiarities of character, in particular, the presence of the extreme limit of the norm of character - accentuations. Neurotic and hysterical personality development also often gives similar frustration. Asthenics often have a tremor due to the lability of the nervous system. Individuals with creative professions are very impressionable, they are characterized by a tremor of hands, in particular for artists, theatricals, musicians, various public figures. A lot of depressive manifestations, especially with the presence of anxiety and agitation can manifest themselves tremor, they can not be attributed to organic neurological pathology, because with proper treatment the tremor disappears without a trace. Not only depressive manifestations can produce tremors, but also PTSD, which is very important for our situation, as well as a variety of emotional overstresses.
Hysteroid psychopathy can also give a tremor in its structure and not only the hands, but also the head, and it is characteristic that it decreases, if the individual does not pay attention. Many medicines have side effects, and tremors are quite common among them. It is worth noting that no drug should be canceled because of a tremor, just a dose adjustment, and in the case of psychiatric drugs, in which this is a very common side effect, drugs are used - correctors. Even herbal preparations give a tremor of hands, in particular stimulators of the nervous system, for example, adaptogens: rhodiola, eleuterekok, lemongrass, echinacea, ginseng. Many of our daily products give tremors, especially alcohol, not even for alcoholics, and strong coffee and tea. Tobacco, smoking of any means also has such a side effect.
The most physiological is hand tremor in hypothermia due to the activation of the muscular system. When loading one muscle group, with static work or lifting large loads, this manifestation may also occur. Physiological he is not because of the reasons that it is normal, but because excluding the factor, tremor of the hands will disappear after some time.
Pathological types of hand tremors speak of poisoning, for example chronic intoxications. These can be occupational hazards, for example lead intoxication. Also any chronic abuse, reaching already to the state of dependence. With abstinence syndrome, and especially with metal delirium tremor reaches its peak, due to the hyperactivation of the VNS.In diabetes mellitus, limb tremor can also occur in several cases - it is hypoglycemia with an overdose of insulin or with excessive physical exertion with a lack of food. Also, the cause may be diabetic polyneuropathy, which also causes a permanent limb tremor. Almost every endocrine pathology has some effect on tremor. In the pathology of the thyroid gland, in particular hyperthyroidism, that is, its overwork, the nervous system is overexcited, which leads to severe exhaustion and tremor of the hands. Inflammation of the adrenal glands, when amplified from work, namely, their cortical part, which also provokes the release of catecholamines, which provokes a powerful activation of the nervous system and causes tremor in the hands. Infectious diseases, in particular fulminant, that is, lethal forms of viral hepatitis are capable of giving a powerful hand tremor. Such a tremor occurs even at rest. To viral diseases that cause tremor, also include tick-borne encephalitis, herpetic and many others.
When the structures of the brain are damaged, tremors of the hands also appear. Depending on the defeat, it is very different from each other. To examples of pathologies affecting the structure of the brain and causing these manifestations is Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea also has a tremor in its structure.
Senile, that is, senile pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease and vascular dementia, often provoke the development of this condition. Hepatocerebral dystrophy, many anemia and general pathologies, significantly weakening the body, multiple sclerosis and similar demyelinating diseases can also give tremors of the limbs.
Causes of hand tremor in children
In adults, regardless of the etiology of the tremor, whether physiological or pathological, we automatically mean a ripened nervous system. In this case, the child's tremor, as a rule, arises against the background of an immature, not fully formed nervous system. That is why the tremor of the child's hands is not always a signal of neurological pathology, often it signals immaturity and is a transient symptom. Moreover, this condition can be formed not only with immaturity of the nervous system, but also with the immaturity of certain muscle groups. That is why this symptom at some age can be considered temporary and does not require interventions. But it should be carefully distinguished so as not to miss a serious pathology.
If the underlying cause lies in the immature nervous system, then the individual suffers because of the inferiority of the peripheral nervous system, in which nervous impulse is impaired. Tremor of the hands due to inferior functionality of the nervous system usually does not arise at rest, most often it disturbs the child during stress. Stressors excite the nervous system, which leads to the release of hormones such as catecholamines, which cause a tremor that increases with the continuation of the stressor. This leads to an increase in muscle contractions with the consumption of nutrients: glucose and oxygen, sometimes until the appearance of a crippling lactic acid accumulation. Such a hand tremor looks like a finely dispersed tremor. In order not to let the beginning of a serious pathology begin, and the main thing is to intervene in time for the subsequent normal formation of crumbs, one must be able to distinguish this species.
Since the nervous system can function incorrectly, if the baby has in utero suffered some problems, it is important to correctly collect anamnesis from the mother. There are critical periods of intrauterine development, which it is very important for a child to survive for adequate formation. If the mother says that during this period she was sick, had some infections, then one can suspect the presence of some problems in the baby. On the development of the nervous system, namely, the problems with it are strongly affected by intrauterine fetal hypoxia. The presence of fetoplacental insufficiency, the pathology of its attachment can also have a similar symptomatology.
Intranatal and birth injuries are very widespread. They strongly influence the unformed brain and can lead to disability, in the structure of which there is a tremor of hands. Such pathologies include surgery for the application of vacuum or obstetric forceps, as well as the incorrect position of the fetus during childbirth. Hypoxic moments in childbirth, as well as premature water leakage, impetuous or sluggish childbirth, even if the full-term child has some functional inferiority of the central nervous system, what is said about the premature baby. They are a risk group for limb tremor. The threats of interruption, the mother's physical illnesses also strongly affect the child. Many diseases and infectious and mums harm the child, in particular diabetic fetopathy and syphilis, as well as a variety of infections: measles, toxoplasmosis, rubella.
For children, also a very characteristic cause of these hazards are the head injury, especially with concussion and slaughter. Endocrine pathology can provoke this symptom at an older age. Also for reasons include various fears, epileptic illness and a lack of vitamins or their overdose. In children, viral infections, particularly hepatitis and herpes, are particularly severe. With injuries and lesions of the brain structures, tremor of the hands can also occur. In particular, this can be with the lability of the nervous system of crumbs, with a variety of accentuations of character. Tumors can also give tremors of hands and even their treatment has such effects. Especially in adolescence, this can be with pheochromocytoma. Congenital muscular insufficiency, phenylketonuria and other pathologies of the enzyme system can lead to tremor.
Tremor of the fingers is a characteristic symptom for troubled impressionable children, then it does not require treatment. Severe tremor of the hands does not necessarily indicate a pathology, it is not the strength of the manifestations that should be oriented, but the accompanying symptoms.
Symptoms of hand tremor
The tremor of the hands, despite the common opinion about the simplicity of this pathology, is very diverse and has different manifestations depending on the cause.
If it is cerebellar ataxia( cerebellar tremor), then it manifests itself during any load, this is the so-called initial tremor that occurs, as it were, initiated when the movement starts. In a relaxed, not overstrained, condition, tremor is completely absent.
Asterixis is the tremor of the hands when there is a violation of gesticulation. Such tremor of hands is caused by prolonged overload, for example, if you ask individuals to align their hands.
Tremor of the fingers of the hand with endocrine disease does not have special symptoms, it is simply accompanied by additional features that are characteristic for hormonal disorders: body trembling, fatigue, heart malfunction, sweating, weight jumps and many other accompanying symptoms.
When lowering sugar - this is a sharp symptom, which, in addition to tremors, is accompanied by sweating.
When medicamental tremor of the hands is characterized by a small tremor, with the abandonment of drugs, the tremor absolutely ceases.
With the disease of the dominant genes - Parkinson's, the tremor is provoked in peace, but disappears or does not appear in physical work.
To test this condition, simple tests are first used. You can ask an individual with a tremor of hands to draw a spiral, and then evaluate its edges. If the edges are even, then there is no tremor, but if they are uneven, then you can assess the degree of tremor. But this is not always a suitable test because of its subjectivity. If there are jagged edges - this does not mean a tremor, this person needs observation with repeated tests, which will allow him to see the dynamics. Twitching of hands requires a lot of energy for the individual and, with intellectual preservation, greatly influences self-esteem. At the same time, the individual is very upset and feels insolvent. If it is senile dementia, then the criticism of tremor is broken due to the intellectual-mnestic decline.
Intense tremor of the hands has a large-scale structure in cerebellar lesions, and it is not in a state of a calm body. Some samples are taken, for example, they ask a person with closed eyes to reach the tip of the nose, he can not do it. Standing with elongated limbs, closing your eyes, as well as raising and lowering your hands. All these simple studies will demonstrate the tremor of the fingers when trying to pull them out, turning into a tremor like the flapping of wings, there are unhurried bending of the hands. This is the most understandable description of such a subspecies of a tremor, as an asterixis.
Rhythmic myoclonus is a tremor that forms when rhythm moves to them, and disappears at rest. Severe tremor of hands with rhythmic myoclonus in the patient requires lying on this arm to stop it. In Parkinson's case, the tremor, apart from the above, is also asymmetric, it decreases with treatment.
An essential hand tremor is formed with some kind of action and has the same name. It is common and has a genetic predisposition, makes itself felt at the age of prescription. The tremor of such a genesis is of small amplitude, but it can also reach an average. At the same time, muscle tone is not changed, that is, it remains normal, reflexes are not violated. It manifests itself under static monotonous loads, for example, while maintaining the position of the body. Essential tremor of the hands does not disappear with physical activity of any genesis, but it does not increase either. This type of tremor does not have this symptom with calmness, as in particular in sleep. In general, all extrapyramidal disorders fall asleep with the individual.
Other tremors and deviation in written skills can be attached to tremor of hands in an essential form. Tremor of the fingers is characteristic of alcohol abuse. Such a tremor manifests its symptom complex with the dilution of the fingers and the strongest in the morning. Such a tremor is facilitated by the use of alcohol, but this is not the best treatment, the better will immediately turn to the appropriate medical institutions for help.
Postural tremor of hands affects hypochondriac individuals and can be a genetic feature. It occurs with motor loads and increases when such people control themselves. The most powerful is the tremor at the end of the movement.
Hand tremor treatment
Dependent on the etiology of this pathology, treatment is significantly different. It is worth considering one thing - self-treatment still should be deleted, at least, to the exclusion of serious pathologies. For a start with mild disorders with a clear lack of serious consequences, you can try sedative herbs. It can be a variety of decoctions of mint, melissa and motherwort. In addition to herbs, it is important to eliminate the stressor, otherwise tremor of the hands will not go anywhere. In some cases, labile individuals may need psychotherapy to find out the circumstances. Beta adrenoblockers are also excellent remedies for this condition, but it is important not to have associated pathologies, in particular bronchial asthma. Nadolol, Atenolol, Nebivalol, benzodiazepines are shown as sedatives of stronger generation. It is worth noting addiction, but if necessary, with a large-scale stress, they can apply up to a week. Also used are Gidazepam, Phenazepam, Xanax Klozepam, Sibazon. To cover the anticonvulsant state, hexamidine is used. The intensity of jitter can be corrected with the help of Primidon.
Surgical operation is sometimes necessary. To do this, all risks are taken into account and unnecessary hazards are eliminated. With the tremor of the hands of the mentally ill, the action of neuroleptics is usually assumed and correctors are applied: Calcium gluconate, Cyclodol.
For the treatment of hand tremor, oriental remedies are very relevant. In particular, reflexotherapy, which affects the necessary zones, acupuncture, apitherapy, hirudotherapy, the use of leeches, as well as phytotherapy and homeopathy, based on methods of displacement of such.
Preventive methods can perfectly serve sports, especially the gradual strengthening of muscle fibers. Excellent for some types of relaxation affects, especially the reception of conifers and lavender baths. For relaxation fit the aroma rooms, snuselenotherapy, massages, various spa treatments. Prophylactic diet is the rejection of "nervous" dishes, that is, the causative agents of the nervous system, in particular acute, salty, alcohol, coffee. There is no question of drugs. In alcoholic tremors with polyneuropathies, detoxification is uniquely performed, for example, using physical therapy. Solutions, rheosorbylact, vitamins and glucose. To stabilize the pressure, hypotensive preparations of all groups are used: Propranolo, Nebivalol, Lozap, Primidon, Metoprenolot. To maintain the psyche, sedatives and antidepressants are shown: Persen, Amitriptyline, Bifren, Miasser. Also contribute to the cheerful mood of the procedures for hardening, chamomile and sage.
If tremor of the hands has its own specific reason, then it is necessary to treat it. With Parkinsonism, these are dopamine preparations, for example, Levodopa, etc.
