Tremors and involuntary movements are complex neurological conditions that can arise from various causes. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and effective diagnosis strategies is crucial for proper treatment.
One common cause of tremors is Parkinson’s disease, characterized by a resting tremor that usually involves the distal muscles, such as the classic ‘pill-rolling tremor’ of the hand. These tremors may decrease with voluntary activity, like raising an arm, and increase during mental activity, such as solving math problems.
Another significant cause of involuntary movements is psychogenic movement disorders. Most psychogenic movements are involuntary, performed without conscious awareness or effort. They can mimic organic movement disorders, including tremor, dystonia, myoclonus, parkinsonism, tics, and paroxysmal dyskinesias. Distinguishing these from organic disorders requires a skilled approach.
Cerebellar tremor, caused by damage to the cerebellum from conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis, is another notable type. This intention tremor affects coordinated movements, such as reaching out to grasp a doorknob, leading to precision difficulties.
Essential tremor is another common disorder, causing rhythmic shaking of the arms during activities like eating, writing, or holding a posture. It can also affect the head, voice, legs, and trunk, and is notable for its occurrence during the use of hands, not at rest.
Managing these tremors involves various strategies. For example, to control head tremor, turning the head to the side can be helpful. Reducing hand tremors might involve keeping elbows close to the body or resting elbows on a table during activities like applying makeup. Salon services can assist in personal care tasks that tremors may complicate.
Infections, including COVID-19, can also cause fever-induced shivers or rigors, as the body mounts a fever to fight off the infection. This involves a series of steps, including blood flow redirection from extremities to core areas to raise body temperature.
To explore these topics further, visit Stanford Medicine 25’s page on Involuntary Movements and Tremor Diagnosis, Baylor Medicine’s insights on Psychogenic Movement Disorders, Harvard Health’s article on Shaky Hands Causes, and more.
