Shaky hands are a very common problem affecting adults.
The most common cause of shaking hands is a condition called essential tremor, which occurs due to a disruption in normal brain function of the cerebellum. Essential tremor tends to run in families.
Other common causes of shaky hands include:
Medical conditions, such as overactive thyroid, cerebellar disorders and Huntington’s disease.
Medication side effects. In particular, some asthma medications, some antidepressants, lithium and some tranquillizers can cause shakiness if you stop taking them suddenly.
Caffeine overdose, which can affect the nervous system.
Low blood sugar, which causes shakiness because the nerves and muscles are deprived of fuel. Low blood sugar can also occur after excessive exercise.
Withdrawal from alcohol or other substances on which your body has become dependent.
Certain nutritional deficiencies.
Stress, anxiety and nervousness that triggers an episode of shaky hands.
Though not a life-threatening problem, shaky hands can make daily tasks difficult. If the problem becomes severe, one can have difficulty holding a cup or glass without spilling, eating normally, shaving and writing legibly.
It is important to take this problem seriously, as it can be an early warning sign of some neurological and degenerative conditions.
Before trying a treatment option, it is important to determine the cause of shaky hands. If the problem is due to an underlying medical condition, treating that condition may reduce or eliminate the tremors.
Some simply lifestyle changes and home remedies can also help improve your symptoms.
why your hands shake and how to fix it