Involuntary shaking movements affecting any part of the body, but usually most obvious in the hands. It may be due to a variety of disorders including thyrotoxicosis, alcohol withdrawal, and Parkinson's disease, which produces a characteristic ‘pill rolling’ tremor. Some people have a natural fine tremor, known as benign essential tremor that is not related to an underlying disease process.
Name of Symptom/Sign:Tremor
Classifications and external resources
| ICD-10 | R25.1 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 781.0 |
Tremor is defined as the involuntary, spasmodic movement of a body part, or parts.
Tremor may occur as an isolated symptom and usually of idiopathic (unknown) cause (essential tremor) or a part of the symptom constellation of another disorder (e.g. Tremors may occur at rest (Parkinson's disease), during voluntary movements (cerebellar lesions) or during excessive activity of muscles (essential tremor, hyperthyroidism).
Types
Tremors can be classified into five main types;
Static tremor, or "rest tremor", is a tremor that occurs despite the limb being fully supported and at rest. It usually progresses at the rate of 4-7 Hz (hertz), and is the typical Parkinsonian tremor, though it may also occur with an essential tremor. Intention tremor, or "action tremor", occurs when an individual tries to perform an action.Causes
Tremors may occur in healthy individuals due to intense fear, hunger, extreme cold, over excitement or hysteria, and excessive physical exertion and fatigue. Tremors are common in diseases affecting the organs or brain, and can occur as a symptom of acute pathology such as poisoning and infection. Tremors can also be the side effect of prolonged use of certain medications such as some antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline, nefazodone, etc.) and some antihistamines; the tremors caused by these medications subside after the medication is discontinued. Amongst the diseases associated with tremors, essential tremor and Parkinson's disease are the best known. Tremor can also be caused by multiple sclerosis and can also occur due to large doses of ionizing radiation.
Treatment
Medications are used only if tremor interferes with daily life activities.
Other tremors
Ocular tremors are eye tremors that are not problem tremors, but instead normal eye tremors believed to assist in vision.
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