Shaky hands can stem from various conditions, some benign and others requiring medical attention. Conditions like Essential Tremor can cause involuntary shaking, primarily affecting the hands, head, and voice. This tremor may manifest as a postural hand tremor or an intention tremor. Notably, Essential Tremor is distinct from Parkinson’s disease, which is another well-known tremor disorder. Essential Tremor is often inherited and commonly starts in middle age, affecting different body parts with varying intensity.

Fever can also induce shaking or ‘Fever Shakes’ as the body attempts to fight off infections, including the novel coronavirus. This physiological response includes blood flow shifting from extremities to the core to raise the body’s temperature. To manage tremors, especially head tremors, turning the head to the side can be helpful. Holding elbows close to the body may reduce hand tremors, and for tasks like applying makeup, resting elbows on a stable surface is recommended.

Cerebellar disease, manifesting as tremor of the head and sometimes trunk, points to issues on the same side of the body as the lesion. Parkinsonian Tremor, typically a resting tremor involving distal muscles, is another condition that can cause shaking. Other causes include excessive metals in the body; exposure to copper, mercury, or arsenic can also lead to tremors.

Additionally, lifestyle factors such as consuming high amounts of caffeine, alcohol, certain over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs can contribute to shaky hands. Movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease can cause limb shaking at rest, stiffness, slowness of movements, and balance impairment, impacting daily activities and walking.

For more in-depth information, you can consult various resources, such as Harvard Health and University of Utah Health. These provide valuable insights into involuntary movements and how to manage them.