Reasons Your Hands Are Shaking
Shaking hands or tremors can happen to anyone. Sometimes, it’s just a temporary reaction to something, like being cold or nervous. Other times, it might be a sign of a health condition, like Parkinson’s disease or an overactive thyroid. It’s not always serious, but if your hands keep shaking and you don’t know why, it might be a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.
Why Are Your Hands Shaking? It’s Not Always Serious
You’re Feeling Nervous or Stressed
When you’re anxious or stressed, your body might react by making your hands shake. It’s a common response, and usually, it goes away once you calm down.
You’ve Had Too Much Caffeine
Do you love coffee or energy drinks? Having too much caffeine can make your hands shake. Cutting back on these drinks might help.
You’re Cold
If you’ve ever been really cold, you might have noticed your hands shaking. This is your body’s way of trying to warm up. Once you warm up, the shaking should stop.
Health Conditions That Might Make Your Hands Shake
Essential Tremor
Some people have a condition called essential tremor. This can make the hands shake for no clear reason. It’s not dangerous, but it might be bothersome. There are treatments that can help.
Parkinson’s Disease
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that can cause shaking hands. Medically it is called Parkinsonian tremor. It’s more common in older people, but it can happen at any age.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and nerves. One of the symptoms might be shaking hands.
Overactive Thyroid
An overactive thyroid is a gland in your neck that’s working too hard. It can make your hands shake, along with other symptoms like feeling nervous or having a fast heartbeat.
Low Blood Sugar
If you have low blood sugar, your body might react with shaking hands. This can happen to people with diabetes, but it’s also something that might happen if you haven’t eaten in a while.
Medication Side Effects
Some medicines might cause your hands to shake. If you notice this after starting a new medication, you should talk to a healthcare provider. They can help you figure out what’s going on.
Other Possible Causes of Shaking Hands
Alcohol Withdrawal
If someone drinks a lot of alcohol and then suddenly stops, their hands might shake. This is a sign of withdrawal, and might need medical help.
Fatigue and Lack of Sleep
When you’re really tired or haven’t been getting enough sleep, your hands might shake. Getting some rest and taking care of yourself can make the shaking go away.
Magnesium Deficiency
Your body needs magnesium to work right. If you don’t have enough, one of the symptoms might be shaking hands. Eating foods with magnesium or taking a supplement might help.
What Can You Do?
If your hands are shaking and it’s bothering you, or if you’re worried about why it’s happening, talking to a healthcare provider is a good idea. They can help you figure out what’s going on and how to make it better. Whether it’s something simple like cutting back on caffeine or something that needs medical treatment, getting the right help is important.
