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Suggest Treatment For Hand Tremors In An Elderly Person With Arthritis
Age 61, handwriting is getting more difficult and shaky. It is worse after several cups of coffee (caffeine) or after hard physical activity involving hands/arms. Large knuckle of thumb and pointer finger may be arthritic, as they ache from time to time.
Tue, 17 Jan 2017
Hi,
Caffeine can cause tremors, this is a known side effect. Because intense physical activity may result in over use and fatigue of the muscles, this can also cause tremors as well.If it is occurring without the use of caffeine or excess activity then it would be best to be assessed.There are different types of tremors and different causes for each.
Tremors can occur:
(1) at rest , when the arms are just resting down on a surface
(2) action tremor- tremor occurs when going to do something
(3) postural tremor- holding position against gravity eg holding out hands
These tremors can be due to parkinsons, side effect of medication, due to alcohol use, due to lesions of the brain, essential tremors (no cause found), due to family history, psychological, due to diseases of nerves, liver disease. An assessment by your doctor would be needed to let you know what is the likely cause for you. This would require physical examination and investigations.
I hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
Caffeine can cause tremors, this is a known side effect. Because intense physical activity may result in over use and fatigue of the muscles, this can also cause tremors as well.If it is occurring without the use of caffeine or excess activity then it would be best to be assessed.There are different types of tremors and different causes for each.
Tremors can occur:
(1) at rest , when the arms are just resting down on a surface
(2) action tremor- tremor occurs when going to do something
(3) postural tremor- holding position against gravity eg holding out hands
These tremors can be due to parkinsons, side effect of medication, due to alcohol use, due to lesions of the brain, essential tremors (no cause found), due to family history, psychological, due to diseases of nerves, liver disease. An assessment by your doctor would be needed to let you know what is the likely cause for you. This would require physical examination and investigations.
I hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
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