Shaky hands in young people can be caused by a neurological disorder or can be a side effect of taking certain types of prescription medications or illegal drugs, as stated by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Neurological disorders that have been known to cause shaky hands include multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury and also neurodegenerative diseases that damage parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum. Drugs, like amphetamines and corticosteroids, mercury poisoning, liver failure and alcohol abuse or withdrawal can also cause shaky hands in young people.
Shaky hands can be present in healthy individuals, and is generally not considered to be a life-threatening issue. Shaky hands can, however, make many daily activities a lot harder to perform.
There are different categories of tremors. Each category possesses its own unique characteristic. Being able to understand and differentiate between the different categories of tremors that cause shaky hands can help medical professionals better determine which treatment options may be most effective. The different categories of tremors include:
- Essential tremors, which are the most common forms of abnormal tremors
- Parkinsonian tremors, which are caused by brain damage
- Dystonic tremors, which is a symptom of dystonia
- Cerebellar tremors, which are caused by lesions in or by the cerebellum
- Psychogenic tremors, which have been linked to conversion disorders or psychiatric diseases
- Orthostatic tremors, which are caused by rhythmic muscle contractions
- Physiological tremors, which can be brought on by a number of causes, such as strong emotions and physical exhaustion
