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There are many reasons why someone might experience muscle shakes, vibrations, jitters, or tremors. Muscle spasms, for example, are common, involuntary contractions and tightenings of the muscles that can be painful but are usually not serious. They can be caused by factors such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and muscle fatigue. Tremors, on the other hand, are involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions that cause shaking in one or more body parts. They can be caused by neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, medication use, anxiety, fatigue, or stimulant use. While muscle spasms and tremors are usually not serious, if you are concerned about any symptoms, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
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What You'll Learn
Anxiety and stress
Anxiety is a natural human emotion that can sometimes become overwhelming and chronic. When we feel anxious, our body's stress response is triggered, which can lead to physical symptoms such as shaking and trembling. This is because when we perceive danger or feel stressed, our bodies release stress hormones, which increase our heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Our muscles become primed to act, leading to sensations of trembling, twitching, or shaking.
Anxiety-induced muscle tension can cause tightness, soreness, and pain in various parts of the body, including the head, face, neck, shoulders, back, chest, arms, legs, and stomach. These symptoms can range from slight to severe and can come in waves, fluctuating in intensity from moment to moment and day to day. Chronic muscle tension is a common symptom of hyperstimulation, which can be caused by chronic stress.
Additionally, anxiety and stress can sometimes mask underlying conditions, such as Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neuroimmunological disorder characterized by progressive rigidity and painful muscle spasms. SPS episodes can be triggered by sudden movements, noise, or emotional stress, resembling panic attacks or anxiety symptoms.
To manage anxiety-related shaking and muscle tension, techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, mindfulness exercises, and grounding or distraction techniques can help calm the body and reduce trembling. Seeking professional help for potential medication and therapy options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), may also be beneficial for long-term management.
It is important to note that stress does not cause specific conditions but can exacerbate existing symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. Therefore, addressing the underlying causes of stress and anxiety is crucial for effective management.
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Neurological conditions
Shaking or trembling muscles can be a symptom of neurological conditions, such as:
Tremor
Tremor is a neurological condition characterized by shaking or trembling movements in one or more body parts. It is involuntary and caused by muscle contractions. Tremors most commonly affect the hands but can also occur in the arms, legs, head, vocal cords, and torso. They may come and go or be constant, and they can occur on their own or as a result of another disorder. While not life-threatening, tremors can cause significant challenges and even lead to disabilities by interfering with daily tasks such as writing, typing, eating, and dressing. Essential tremor, also known as benign essential tremor or familial tremor, is the most common type, often affecting the hands, arms, head, voice, or legs during movement. Dystonic tremor is associated with dystonia, a movement disorder causing involuntary muscle contractions that result in abnormal postures or sustained, unwanted movements. Parkinsonian tremor is a common symptom of Parkinson's disease, typically affecting the hands at rest but also the chin, lips, face, and legs. Orthostatic tremor is a rare disorder characterized by rapid muscle contractions in the legs upon standing. While the exact causes of most tremors are unknown, they can be influenced by factors such as stress, strong emotions, physical fatigue, specific postures, and certain movements. Tremors can be treated with medications, Botox injections, or therapies such as physical, speech-language, and occupational therapy.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurological condition caused by degeneration in the basal ganglia region of the brain and low production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. While Parkinsonian tremor is a common symptom, not all individuals with Parkinson's disease experience tremors. The shaking typically affects the hands at rest and may also involve the chin, lips, face, and legs. The tremors often worsen with stress or strong emotions and may initially appear on one side of the body before spreading as the disease progresses.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that can cause tremors. It involves damage to the myelin sheath, which protects nerve fibres, resulting in impaired nerve signalling and a range of physical and cognitive symptoms.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, leading to oxygen deprivation and potential damage to brain tissue. It can result in tremors and other neurological deficits, depending on the affected area of the brain.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can also lead to tremors and other neurological complications. These injuries can occur due to various causes, such as physical trauma, accidents, or penetrating wounds.
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Medication side effects
Involuntary muscle shaking or tremors can be a side effect of certain medications. This is known as a drug-induced or medication-induced tremor. Tremors can affect various body parts, such as the eyelids, head, arms, hands, legs, trunk, vocal cords, or voice. The lower body is less commonly affected, and the tremors may not impact both sides of the body equally. The shaking is usually fast, with about 4 to 12 movements per second.
Medications that are known to cause tremors include:
- Cancer medicines such as thalidomide and cytarabine
- Seizure medicines like valproate medications (valproic acid or divalproex sodium) and amitriptyline
- Asthma medicines, including theophylline and albuterol
- Immune-suppressing medicines such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, and levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl)
- Antibiotics, including aminoglycosides
- Inhalers containing arformoterol (Brovana)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) and other antidepressants
- Amiodarone (Pacerone), a heart medication
- Lithium
- Methylphenidates used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as dexmethylphenidate
In some cases, the risk of tremors is dose-dependent, meaning that higher doses of certain medications are more likely to cause tremors. Additionally, caffeine and other stimulants can exacerbate medication-induced tremors.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience tremors or other side effects from your medication. They may recommend adjusting the dosage, switching to an alternative medication, or adding a new medication to help control the tremors. In most cases, medication-induced tremors disappear when the causative drug is discontinued. However, it may take up to a year or more for the symptoms to completely resolve.
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Alcohol withdrawal
Shaking or trembling muscles can be caused by alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol shakes, also known as tremors or jitters, are a tell-tale symptom of alcohol withdrawal. These tremors typically start within a few hours of the last drink, worsen with movement, and improve after a few days. They usually affect the hands but can also impact the arms, legs, and other body parts.
Alcohol shakes can be a warning sign of more severe issues and complications associated with alcohol misuse. For example, they can indicate Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), which requires immediate medical attention. Additionally, alcohol withdrawal can lead to delirium tremens (DTs), a life-threatening condition that includes symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and trouble regulating involuntary body functions.
It is recommended to seek professional help for alcohol withdrawal to ensure a gradual and safer detox process. Abrupt withdrawal can trigger severe complications, including DTs, seizures, and psychosis. Treatment options include medical supervision, gradual detox, and medications such as benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms and lower the risk of developing DTs.
While tight muscles can be a symptom of stress and anxiety, which may contribute to shaking, it is important to note that alcohol withdrawal specifically causes shaking due to the impact of alcohol on the brain and neurotransmitters, as well as potential liver damage and other complications. Therefore, addressing muscle tightness alone may not alleviate the shaking caused by alcohol withdrawal, and comprehensive treatment for alcohol dependence is necessary.
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Muscle spasms
- Not enough stretching
- Muscle fatigue
- Exercising in extreme heat
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Too much high-intensity exercise
Additionally, muscle spasms can be a symptom of an underlying neurological condition such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. They may also be induced by certain medications, anxiety, fatigue, or stimulant use.
To prevent and treat muscle spasms, it is recommended to:
- Perform flexibility exercises and stretch regularly
- Improve overall fitness
- Stay hydrated
- Maintain proper electrolyte balance
- Avoid excessive high-intensity exercise
In cases of severe or frequent muscle spasms, a healthcare provider may prescribe muscle relaxants to ease the symptoms. However, these medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea, limiting their long-term use.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle tremors can be caused by neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, medication use, anxiety, fatigue, stimulant use, or other neurologic disorders including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Certain medications, metabolic conditions, and neurodegenerative conditions can also cause muscle tremors.
Muscle spasms are painful contractions and tightening of muscles that can affect anyone at any time. They are common, involuntary, and unpredictable. Muscle spasms can be caused by a lack of stretching, muscle fatigue, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
To prevent muscle spasms, one can perform flexibility exercises, work towards better overall fitness, and stretch their muscles regularly.
Yes, muscle shakes, jitters, and tremors can be caused by stress and anxiety. When an individual behaves in an apprehensive manner, the body activates its stress response, which can lead to tense muscles and body-wide stimulation, resulting in muscle shakes.
