- Physical Examination
- Surgical Examination
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Skills
- Orthopedics
- Surgery Videos
- Laparoscopy
- Pediatrics
- Funny Videos
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Nursing Videos
- Plastic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Histology and Histopathology
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Dentistry
- Oncology and Cancers
- Anatomy Videos
- Health and Fitness
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Radiology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Childbirth Videos
- General Medical Videos
- Nephrology
- Physiology
- Diet and Food Health
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neurology
- Women Health
- Osteoporosis
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Rheumatology
- Toxicology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Burns and Wound Healing
- Kidney Zone Podcast
- Other
Tremor
Category: Brain & Nerves · All brain & nerves symptoms
What it can feel like
A tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic shaking of a body part — most often the hands, sometimes the head, voice or legs. Tremors are classified by when they appear: at rest, holding a posture, or during action such as writing or pouring — and that classification is the diagnosis.
Possible causes
A symptom can have many causes, and most are not serious. The lists below group conditions this symptom can be associated with — common causes first. They are possibilities to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnosis.
Common causes
Tremor can be associated with an exaggerated normal tremor from anxiety, caffeine, tiredness or medicines (asthma inhalers, some antidepressants), with an overactive thyroid, and with essential tremor — a common, often familial action tremor that may ease briefly with alcohol.
Other possible causes
A tremor present at rest, especially one-sided at first, with stiffness and slowness, can be associated with Parkinson's disease. New tremor can also follow stroke, occur with liver or metabolic problems, or arise from medicines such as lithium or valproate.
Red flags — when to seek help promptly
- Tremor that is new, one-sided and present at rest, with slowness or stiffness
- Tremor with weakness, speech change or unsteadiness
- Tremor with weight loss, palpitations and heat intolerance
- Tremor that has begun after a new medicine and is worsening
- Tremor in a child or young adult (uncommon — always assess)
What a clinician may do
A clinician will observe the tremor at rest, outstretched and in action (including writing and a spiral drawing), test for Parkinsonian signs, and arrange blood tests including thyroid function. Brain imaging and neurology referral follow when features suggest a structural or degenerative cause.
Watch: related videos
Examination and clinical videos from the MedicalVideos.com library relevant to this symptom. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
How is essential tremor different from Parkinson's tremor?
Essential tremor appears with action and posture — shaking while holding a cup — often affects both hands and the head or voice, and may run in families. Parkinson's tremor is typically present at rest, starts on one side, and comes with slowness and stiffness of movement. The examination separates them.
Can medicines cause tremor?
Yes — inhalers, lithium, valproate, some antidepressants and thyroid hormone excess are common causes, as is withdrawal from alcohol. A medicine timeline is part of every tremor assessment, so bring a complete list including over-the-counter products.
Related symptoms — Brain & Nerves
Browse the T section of the A–Z list or return to the Symptoms A–Z hub.