Muscle tremors: causes of tremor

Muscle tremors, known in technical terms as tremors, can have various causes. For example, people tremble from cold, nervousness, or exertion during sports. The involuntary tremors can occur, for example, in the legs, hands, arms, voice or throughout the body. However, the causes of muscle tremors are not always harmless. The tremors can also indicate serious illnesses such as Parkinson’s or thyroid disease. We present possible causes and explain how to treat muscle tremors.

Trembling as a natural response

Tremors are usually a good thing. Strictly speaking, our muscles always tremble a little unnoticed. In doing so, opposing muscle groups are repeatedly contracted in alternation. This so-called physiological tremor only becomes apparent when it is amplified.

For example, when it is cold, the body tries to generate kinetic energy by increasing the rhythmic movement of various muscle groups to heat up. But stress, fear, exhaustion or excitement can also increase regular muscle tremors – as can too much alcohol, nicotine or caffeine.

Unlike muscle tremors, muscle twitching, which occurs at night during sleep or just before falling asleep, is not a rhythmic movement and is, therefore, not a form of tremor.

 

Muscle tremors when exercising

Muscle tremors are typical with exertion or contraction of individual muscles and are expected to some degree. However, anyone who feels a strong tremor when exercising or stretching should interpret this as a sign from the body that the muscles in question are overloaded and should pause with the exercises.

If the muscles tremble during training, this can also indicate a lack of magnesium, calcium or potassium. Because when you sweat, your body loses minerals. Therefore, athletes need to consume enough of these minerals through food. Cheese, bananas and legumes, for example, are suitable for this.

Tremor: Have the causes clarified

You should consult a doctor if a tremor cannot be attributed to a regular physical reaction or if the muscle tremors persist for a long time. Diagnosing often requires an extensive examination by a general practitioner or neurologist.

During a diagnosis, the function of muscles, nerves and brain is tested. Laboratory values ​​and, for example, magnetic resonance therapy (MRI) can also provide information about an existing disease. Sometimes, possible causes are sought or ruled out using a differential diagnosis. The following questions are also crucial for this:

• How long has the tremor been there?
• What previous illnesses are there?
• Does the person affected suffer from other movement disorders or other abnormalities?
• Which parts of the body are affected?
• When, how fast and how severe does the tremor occur?

 

forms of muscle tremors

There are different types of tremors, depending on the situation, frequency and strength of the tremor.

The resting tremor sets in when the corresponding body region is not moved. This contrasts with action tremor,  which occurs with voluntary muscle movements. The following distinction is often made here:

• Movement tremors occur with consciously controlled, non-targeted movements, for example, when moving the hands.
• Intention tremor begins when aiming at a target (e.g. stretching a finger towards the tip of the nose) and increases as the hand approaches the target.
• Postural tremors occur when a load from gravity, for example, when a piece of glass is held with an outstretched arm.
• Isometric tremor occurs during muscle contractions without movement, such as clenching a fist. 

In addition, many other types of tremors occur, for example, task-specifically when writing, standing or speaking, or describe the exact characteristics of the resting tremor (e.g. head tremor).

Tremors: frequency and strength

The frequency of a tremor can be measured precisely and allows conclusions to be drawn about its cause. Depending on the speed of the muscle tremor, a distinction is made between low-frequency (2 to 4 Hertz, i.e. vibrations per second), medium-frequency (4 to 7 Hertz) and high-frequency tremor (more than 7 Hertz).

Depending on how extensive the tremor is (“amplitude”), a tremor is classified as fine-pitched (hardly extensive), medium-pitched or coarse-pitched (very extensive).

Diseases as a cause of muscle tremors

The shape of the tremor can indicate its cause. However, a precise diagnosis is only possible after further examinations.

For example, a medium-frequency resting tremor can indicate Parkinson’s disease: the hands or just one hand are often affected. However, completely different forms of tremors can also be triggered by Parkinson’s. A resting tremor is also one of the side effects of some medications.

 

Common causes of tremor

In addition to the causes already mentioned, muscle tremors can have many other triggers. For example, a tremor can also be caused by psychological reasons such as anxiety disorders or as a result of traumatic events.

Other common causes of tremors include:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Morbus Wilson
• Diabetes mellitus
• hyperthyroidism
• Epilepsy
• Stroke or TIA
• Medication or drug withdrawal
• Alcohol and drug abuse and related withdrawal symptoms
• poisoning
• Liver or kidney disease
• Lack of Vitamin B12

If a tremor occurs in isolation, i.e. without being a disease symptom, it is called an essential tremor. This occurs mainly in older people and is considered to be hereditary.

By the way, It is usual for pregnant women to have muscle tremors shortly before giving birth: this is how the body tries to relieve muscle tension before the contractions begin.

Treatment of muscle tremors

The treatment of a tremor depends primarily on its cause. If, for example, Wilson’s disease is diagnosed as the cause of the muscle tremors, the treatment is primarily aimed at this underlying disease. As part of this, the tremor usually subsides.

The following treatment options are available if the muscles tremble:

• Specific forms of tremor can be treated with medication, such as antispasmodics or beta blockers.
• In individual cases, an operation, such as inserting a so-called brain pacemaker, can provide relief.
• Regular botulinum injections are used in combination with exercise training for task-specific tremors.
• Occupational therapy can teach you to cope well with everyday activities despite tremors.
• If a drug is suspected of being the cause of the tremor, it can be discontinued after consultation with a doctor.
• Relaxation exercises can temporarily reduce tremors.

Muscle tremors due to stress

When everyday causes like stress or cold cause muscle tremors, they usually go away on their own once the trigger goes away. If you are exposed to constant stress, it can help to reduce it through relaxation methods such as yoga or walks to stop the muscle tremors.