Health Tip: Identifying Causes of Tremors

(HealthDay News) -- Tremors are uncontrolled, involuntary movement of any part of the body -- often the hands.

Tremors may be related to family history, a symptom of a disease or other health condition, or a side effect of a particular drug.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health says that tremors may occur when a person is at rest, sporadically with no apparent cause, or when the person is trying to use a particular muscle (such as writing or reaching for something). Tremors most commonly occur in the head, face, eyelids, hands and arms, and may not always occur on both sides of the body. Even the vocal chords can be affected by tremors -- a shaking or unsteady voice may be a symptom.

If tremors are caused by a drug, your doctor may modify the dosage or switch to a different medication. If caused by a disease, some medications may help control the tremors. No treatment may be prescribed if the tremors do not affect daily activities or quality of life.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: July 18, 2006