Tremor facts for kids

A tremor is when your body parts shake without you wanting them to. It happens because your antagonist muscles – which are muscles that work against each other, like your bicep and tricep – move over and over again without you controlling them.

Tremors can happen in different ways. Often, a tremor is a symptom of something else, not the main problem itself. Having a tremor doesn't always mean someone is sick. For example, everyone has tiny, natural tremors called physiological tremors. You can measure these, but you usually can't see them.

What is a Tremor?

A tremor is a type of involuntary movement. This means your body moves without you telling it to. It's like your hand or leg starts shaking on its own. These movements are usually rhythmic, meaning they happen in a regular pattern.

Why Do Tremors Happen?

Tremors happen when there's a problem with the parts of your brain that control movement. These parts send signals to your muscles. If the signals get mixed up, your muscles might start to shake.

Different Kinds of Tremors

There are many types of tremors. Some are very common and not serious. Others can be a sign of a health condition. Doctors look at when the tremor happens and how it looks to figure out what kind it is.

• Resting tremor: This tremor happens when a body part is completely relaxed, like your hand resting in your lap. It often stops when you try to move that part.
• Action tremor: This tremor happens when you are trying to move. It can make everyday tasks harder.
  • Intention tremor: This is a type of action tremor that gets worse as you get closer to your target. For example, if you try to touch your nose, your hand might shake more as it gets closer.
  • Postural tremor: This tremor happens when you hold a body part against gravity. If you hold your arms straight out in front of you, they might start to shake.

Common Causes of Tremors

Tremors can be caused by many different things. Sometimes, the cause is simple and temporary. Other times, it might be related to a health condition.

Everyday Causes

Many things can cause a temporary tremor that isn't serious. These include:

• Stress or anxiety: Feeling nervous or worried can make your body shake.
• Tiredness: When you are very tired, your muscles might twitch or tremor.
• Too much caffeine: Drinks like coffee or energy drinks can make you jittery.
• Certain medicines: Some medicines can have tremors as a side effect.
• Low blood sugar: If you haven't eaten enough, your blood sugar can drop, causing shakiness.

Health Conditions and Tremors

Sometimes, tremors are a symptom of a health condition. It's important to remember that a tremor is just one sign, and doctors need to look at all symptoms to make a diagnosis.

• Essential tremor: This is one of the most common types of tremor. It usually affects the hands, but can also affect the head or voice. It often runs in families.
• Parkinson's disease: This condition can cause a resting tremor, often starting in one hand.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): This condition can affect the brain and spinal cord, sometimes leading to tremors.
• Overactive thyroid: An overactive thyroid gland can speed up your body's processes, causing tremors.

Living with a Tremor

For many people, tremors are mild and don't cause big problems. For others, they can make daily activities challenging.

How Tremors are Managed

If a tremor is bothering someone, doctors can suggest ways to help.

• Finding the cause: The first step is to figure out what is causing the tremor. If it's due to a medicine, changing the medicine might help.
• Lifestyle changes: Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and avoiding caffeine can help with some tremors.
• Medicines: For some types of tremors, doctors might prescribe medicines to help reduce the shaking.
• Therapy: Physical therapy or occupational therapy can help people manage tremors. Therapists can teach exercises to improve muscle control or suggest tools to make daily tasks easier.

It's important for anyone experiencing a tremor to talk to a doctor. A doctor can figure out the cause and suggest the best way to help.

See also

In Spanish: Temblor (signo clínico) para niños