Tremors are defined as uncontrollable movements in one part of a person’s body although such movements can happen in any part of the body at any given time. Tremors are results of a dysfunction in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement.

Tremors, though not always serious, can also indicate serious neurologic disorders and require close treatment. Most people though, mistake muscle twitches and spasms for tremors. It is important to understand that they are not the same thing and knowing the basic differences is essential prior to consulting with a physician. Muscle twitches are uncontrolled, small movements of smaller parts of bigger muscles and are usually visible beneath the skin.

Muscle spasms on the other hand are defined as involuntary contractions of muscles. There are two major types of tremors namely, action and resting tremor. Action tremors happen while the affected part of your body is moving and are categorized into different kinds: Isometric tremors, that happen when muscles contract voluntarily sans other muscle movement; Task-specific tremors that happen while in the middle of a specific action like reading or writing; Intention tremors, that happen during specific movements like touching one’s face with a hand or finger; Kinetic tremors, which happened when a body part like the wrist is moving, and Postural tremors which happened when a person stays in a certain position for long periods of time and holding it against gravity.

Resting tremors on the other hand, happen when a person is either lying down or sitting still for long periods. This type of tremor usually affects the fingers or hands and goes away as soon as you begin to move around. So does this mean that tremors can be dangerous? For many patients, tremors are normal especially when the person in question is experiencing a lot of stress, fear or anxiety. Because tremors are closely related to disorders that affects muscles and the nervous system, tremors usually go away when the anxiety and fear subsides. If you notice that tremors are ccurring more frequently and during unexpected times, you need to consult a doctor right away.

What Causes Tremors?

A tremor is usually caused by a problem in parts of the brain controlling muscle movement either in the whole body or in specific areas like the hands or legs. There are different conditions that cause tremors such as brain injury, multiple sclerosis or stroke. There are also neurodegenerative diseases that cause damage in the cerebellum which results to tremors. Misuse of certain drugs such as amphetamines and corticosteroids; mercury poisoning; alcoholism and withdrawal from alcohol abuse and liver failure can also cause tremors.

Tremors are also hereditary and can run in families and there are different tremors whose causes are yet to be identified. Tremors are diagnosed during a thorough physical examination where doctors will observe the affected areas. Though they are easily detected during visual inspections, proper diagnoses cannot be done without doing more physical tests. What doctors usually do is to ask a patient to hold an object for a few minutes or write something so they can properly evaluate how severe the tremors are.

Patients are also asked to provide urine and blood samples so doctors can rule out thyroid diseases and other disorders prior to prescribing treatment. A neurological exam is also done so doctors can check how well the patient’s nervous system is functioning or have patients undergo an electromyogrgam that measures the muscle’s response to nerve stimuli.

How are Tremors Treated?

Neurological research has introduced and recommended various methods to treat tremors. The aim is to effectively ease the trembling of a patient’s hands, legs, voice or head. Although mild cases of tremors do not need extensive treatment, people suffering from it may feel embarrassed about their trembling hands or movements. The use of drugs such as Xanax is one of the recommended treatments of tremors. Alprazolam or Xanax, is an anti-anxiety drug that work by slowing down the patient’s nervous system.

The effects of the drug, taken orally, are noticed within a few days after administration although it should not be taken or prescribed longer than half a year. Xanax is prescribed as it is an FDA-approved drug for anxiety treatment in adults. The drug is usually used to treat (albeit for a short term) anxiety as well as nervous tension. Xanax is and should not be prescribed to patients under 18 years of age and can be very addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms like irritability, diarrhea and insomnia to name just a few.

As such, patients should not take the drug without the strict recommendation of a doctor and should not take the drug longer than the time doctors indicated. Before taking the drug though, make sure you will inform your doctor about any history of drug abuse, stroke or allergy.