Tremors: what they are and what to do first

A tremor is an involuntary shaking of part of the body — most often the hands, head, or voice. It can be tiny and barely noticeable, or strong enough to make daily tasks hard. The first useful step is simple: notice when the shaking happens (rest, with movement, or when stressed) and what makes it better or worse.

When to worry

See a doctor if the tremor is new, getting worse, affects daily life, or comes with other symptoms like slowness, stiffness, balance trouble, sudden confusion, or a change in speech. Those signs can point to conditions that need quick attention. Your doctor will review your medications and medical history, check your thyroid and blood sugar, and may order imaging or a neurology referral.

Treatment options that actually help

Treatment depends on the cause and how much the tremor interferes with life. Small changes often make a big difference: cut back on caffeine, avoid stimulant medications when possible, use heavier or weighted utensils, and try physical therapy to improve control.

There are several proven medications. Propranolol (Inderal) and primidone are common first choices for essential tremor. If propranolol doesn't work or isn’t safe for you, there are alternatives — check our guide to Inderal options for practical comparisons and side-effect notes. For some people, anticonvulsants or gabapentin help. If a tremor is part of seizures, drugs like phenytoin (Dilantin) come into play — read more about phenytoin and seizure care in our detailed post.

Localized treatments matter too. Botox injections can reduce head or voice tremors. For severe, disabling tremors that don’t respond to medicine, deep brain stimulation (DBS) or focused ultrasound might be an option. Those treatments require referral to a movement-disorders specialist and careful discussion about benefits and risks.

Children can show movement issues that look like tremors but are actually dyskinesias or other movement disorders. If your child shakes, start with a pediatric neurology evaluation — our post on dyskinesias in children explains what parents should watch for and how to get help.

Always review your medicines with a clinician. Some prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and even supplements can cause or worsen tremors. Stopping or switching a drug under medical guidance can fix the problem without new treatments.

Want practical reading? Check these posts for quick, focused info:

Top 10 Inderal Alternatives: Explore Your Options

Dilantin: Uses, Side Effects, and Key Facts About Phenytoin

Dyskinesias in Children: What Parents Need to Know

If a tremor is getting in the way, don’t wait. Start by tracking patterns, cutting caffeine, and booking a visit with your primary care doctor or a neurologist. With the right steps, most people can reduce shaking and get back to normal activities.