Anyone experiencing body shaking, especially at night, may feel confused and scared about this unusual symptom. There are several health conditions that can cause someone to shake at night, whether in their sleep or while awake. Three of the most common reasons are sleep apnea, seizures and anxiety. Sleep apnea causes patients to stop breathing temporarily for periods throughout the night.
. Seizures are a neurological disorder with many causes. Anxiety is a psychological disorder that can occur when taking certain medications or as a result of other conditions.Sleep apnea occurs in several different ways. Someone with obstructive sleep apnea stops breathing as a result of the soft palate in the back of their throat relaxing. Central sleep apnea is caused by neurological conditions. Sometimes a brain tumor or disease can cause breathing problems during sleep. With mixed sleep apnea, the apnea is caused by an obstruction and a problem within the brain. Irregardless of the cause, all three types cause the patient to stop breathing during the night. This suffocation can cause the sufferer to start shaking while still asleep. The brain tries to rouse the person so that breathing can resume. They may not fully awaken, but breathing normally restarts.Seizures happen as a result of a disruption in the brain. Normal functioning ceases, and the results are often convulsions or the person may assume a far away look in their eyes. During these episodes, the person does not respond to outside stimuli and may even behave strangely. While sleeping, these convulsions can shake the whole body, scaring those around them. Epilepsy requires medical treatment to control symptoms and to prevent death from a fatal seizure.Anxiety is a mental health disorder. It can occur singly or in combination with other disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and panic attacks. Common symptoms include tremors or shaking, sweats, racing thoughts and problems breathing. More reference links: http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml http://atlantadentist.com/Sleep_Apnea.html
