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What Causes Body Tremors In An Elderly Person?
Question: I am 68 years old and female. I am having problems with coordination and also having involuntary shaking. Could you list some possibilities of what may be going on with my body. I have no other symptoms. These symptoms started about 4 weeks ago but I can no longer ignore them. I have still been able to drive and do basic things in the house.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
There could be several causes to the symptoms which you describe.
Among brain lesions stroke, tumor or any other lesion of the posterior part of the brain may cause such symptoms. The posterior part of the brain is responsible for balance and coordination so lesions there may cause imbalance, uncoordinated movements, tremor.
More chronic conditions include movement disorders. Parkinson's is the most famous of them, but there are several other rare movement disorders like multiple system atrophy, spinocerebellar degeneration which could cause such symptoms. If the symptoms present only for 4 weeks though this hypothesis is not that likely as start is insiduous and progress slowly over years.
In order to explore for the above - mentioned brain related conditions a physical neurological exam and brain imaging preferably with MRI as it gives a better view of the posterior part of the brain is preferable. If the physical exam doesn't reveal any signs though you should relax as there are usually accompanying signs and the MRI should come out ok.
Among other cases your thyroid condition may be a factor. You say for your medication to be stable for years, so not very likely but still a control TSH is necessary if you haven't had one recently.
Other possible rarer causes may include metabolic alterations. They can be excluded by some routine exams like blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
There could be several causes to the symptoms which you describe.
Among brain lesions stroke, tumor or any other lesion of the posterior part of the brain may cause such symptoms. The posterior part of the brain is responsible for balance and coordination so lesions there may cause imbalance, uncoordinated movements, tremor.
More chronic conditions include movement disorders. Parkinson's is the most famous of them, but there are several other rare movement disorders like multiple system atrophy, spinocerebellar degeneration which could cause such symptoms. If the symptoms present only for 4 weeks though this hypothesis is not that likely as start is insiduous and progress slowly over years.
In order to explore for the above - mentioned brain related conditions a physical neurological exam and brain imaging preferably with MRI as it gives a better view of the posterior part of the brain is preferable. If the physical exam doesn't reveal any signs though you should relax as there are usually accompanying signs and the MRI should come out ok.
Among other cases your thyroid condition may be a factor. You say for your medication to be stable for years, so not very likely but still a control TSH is necessary if you haven't had one recently.
Other possible rarer causes may include metabolic alterations. They can be excluded by some routine exams like blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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