Is it normal for legs to shake

It might instead be due to something such as caffeine withdrawal. However, if there is no clear cause, if self-care strategies do not work, or if the shaking is getting worse, it is best to see a doctor. It can be unpleasant to experience shaking legs, and it might cause a person to worry that something is seriously wrong. In many cases, the underlying condition is not serious. However, leg shaking can be a symptom of some very serious medical conditions if accompanied by other symptoms.

Delaying treatment allows the problem to get worse. Though shaking legs is not a medical emergency, seeking and receiving prompt medical care can help alleviate this symptom. Muscle soreness, injuries, sunburns, and nerve damage can all cause a burning sensation in the legs.

Learn more about the causes and how to treat them…. Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are often linked with overuse or underuse of the muscles, but medical conditions may also be the cause…. Itchy skin, or pruritus, is common and can affect any part of the body. Many factors can cause itchy legs, including skin conditions, diabetes, or….

Lower back and leg pain can result from poor posture and overstraining the back muscles. However, persistent or recurring pain can be a sign of an…. Learn about restless legs syndrome, including common causes, treatments, and home remedies. This article contains the best tips on relieving symptoms. Why is my leg shaking? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Tremor RLS Tardive dyskinesia Anxiety Stimulant drugs Alcohol Neuropathy Dementia Hyperthyroidism Parkinson's disease When to see a doctor Summary Leg shaking can be a subtle annoyance or an intense experience that causes muscle tension and difficulty walking.

Share on Pinterest A tremor is a possible cause of leg shaking. Tardive dyskinesia. Stimulant drugs. When to see a doctor. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

The disorder generally affects men and women equally. Tremor is not life threatening. However, it can be embarrassing and even disabling, making it difficult or even impossible to perform work and daily life tasks. Generally, tremor is caused by a problem in the deep parts of the brain that control movements. Most types of tremor have no known cause, although there are some forms that appear to be inherited and run in families.

Tremor can occur on its own or be a symptom associated with a number of neurological disorders, including:. Some tremor may be triggered by or become worse during times of stress or strong emotion, when an individual is physically exhausted, or when a person is in certain postures or makes certain movements.

Resting tremor occurs when the muscle is relaxed, such as when the hands are resting on the lap. Often, the tremor only affects the hand or fingers. Action tremor occurs with the voluntary movement of a muscle. Most types of tremor are considered action tremor. There are several sub-classifications of action tremor, many of which overlap.

Tremor is most commonly classified by its appearance and cause or origin. There are more than 20 types of tremor. Some of the most common forms of tremor include:. Essential tremor previously also called benign essential tremor or familial tremor is one of the most common movement disorders. The exact cause of essential tremor is unknown. For some people this tremor is mild and remains stable for many years.

The tremor usually appears on both sides of the body, but is often noticed more in the dominant hand because it is an action tremor. The key feature of essential tremor is a tremor in both hands and arms, which is present during action and when standing still.

Additional symptoms may include head tremor e. The action tremor in both hands in essential tremor can lead to problems with writing, drawing, drinking from a cup, or using tools or a computer. Though the tremor can start at any age, it most often appears for the first time during adolescence or in middle age between ages 40 and Small amounts of alcohol may help decrease essential tremor, but the mechanism behind this is unknown.

About 50 percent of the cases of essential tremor are thought to be caused by a genetic risk factor referred to as familial tremor. Children of a parent who has familial tremor have greater risk of inheriting the condition. Familial forms of essential tremor often appear early in life. For many years essential tremor was not associated with any known disease.

However, some scientists think essential tremor is accompanied by a mild degeneration of certain areas of the brain that control movement. This is an ongoing debate in the research field. As Taylor re-releases 'Red', a writer reflects on how much the album impacted her life. My Imperfect Life is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number My Imperfect Life.

Select your region. Volume Article Contents Abstract. Case 1. Case 2. Case 3. Key points. Conflicts of interest. Shaky legs? Ramtahal , J. Address correspondence to: A. Tel: ; Fax: Oxford Academic. Cite Cite J. Select Format Select format. Permissions Icon Permissions. Abstract Primary orthostatic tremor POT may be a cause of postural instability in older people. Google Scholar Crossref. Search ADS. Levodopa may improve orthostatic tremor: case report and trial of treatment.

Posturography can be used to screen for primary orthostatic tremor, a rare cause of dizziness. Su di un singolare disturbo della stazione eretta osservatione di tre casi. Natural history and syndromic associations of orthostatic tremor: a review of 41 patients.

Blinded placebo crossover study of gabapentin in primary orthostatic tremor. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals. Issue Section:. Download all slides. Comments 0.