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Tremor is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscles. It can be classified according to various criteria.
1. Classification Based on Occurrence:
* Rest Tremor: A type of tremor that appears when the person is completely still or lying down. It usually decreases or disappears when movement begins. It is commonly seen in the hands and fingers.
* Action Tremor: A type of tremor that occurs when a limb is held in a specific position (e.g., holding arms horizontally) or during any movement. Action tremor is further divided into subcategories:
* Intention Tremor: Tremor that worsens towards the end of a purposeful movement. For example, when trying to grasp an object.
* Postural Tremor: Tremor that occurs when a limb is held in a specific position against gravity, often exacerbated by situations like excitement, tension, or fear.
* Task-Specific Tremor: Tremor that appears only when performing a particular action. For example, while writing or playing a musical instrument.
* Isometric Tremor: Tremor that occurs when a muscle is held tense against resistance in a fixed position, without joint movement. For example, when holding a heavy object steady.
2. Classification Based on Causes and Characteristics:
* Essential Tremor: A neurological condition characterized by involuntary, rhythmic shaking and tremor, resulting from the brain's regions controlling muscle coordination failing to communicate properly. It is one of the most common movement disorders. It typically affects both hands and arms during movement; sometimes it can also involve the head, voice, or lower limbs. It usually begins in adolescence or middle age and can show genetic predisposition. It may progress over time.
* Dystonic Tremor: A movement disorder caused by incorrect messages from the brain leading to overactive muscles, resulting in abnormal postures or involuntary movements. It can affect any muscle in the body and is usually seen in young or middle-aged individuals.
* Cerebellar Tremor: Tremors in the arms, legs, hands, or feet that worsen towards the end of purposeful movements (e.g., while writing), typically resulting from a stroke, tumor, disease, or a hereditary disorder.
* Functional (Psychogenic) Tremor: A type of tremor with psychological origins that can begin suddenly and vary in intensity over time, mimicking any tremor form. It can worsen with increased attention or decrease/disappear when attention is diverted.
* Enhanced Physiological Tremor: A type of tremor where normally unnoticeable physiological tremor becomes prominent under certain conditions (e.g., medication use, alcohol withdrawal, medical problems like overactive thyroid, hypoglycemia). It typically affects the hands and fingers and is associated with a systemic cause rather than a neurological issue.
* Parkinsonian Tremor: A characteristic symptom of Parkinson's disease, occurring especially at rest. It commonly affects the hands but can also be seen in the jaw, lips, face, and legs. Its intensity can increase with stress and emotional moments. It may not be observed in all Parkinson's patients.
* Orthostatic Tremor: A high-frequency tremor that appears in the legs when standing up. It usually disappears when the person sits down or starts walking.
What are the Types of Tremor (Shaking Disease)?
1. Classification Based on Occurrence:
* Rest Tremor: A type of tremor that appears when the person is completely still or lying down. It usually decreases or disappears when movement begins. It is commonly seen in the hands and fingers.
* Action Tremor: A type of tremor that occurs when a limb is held in a specific position (e.g., holding arms horizontally) or during any movement. Action tremor is further divided into subcategories:
* Intention Tremor: Tremor that worsens towards the end of a purposeful movement. For example, when trying to grasp an object.
* Postural Tremor: Tremor that occurs when a limb is held in a specific position against gravity, often exacerbated by situations like excitement, tension, or fear.
* Task-Specific Tremor: Tremor that appears only when performing a particular action. For example, while writing or playing a musical instrument.
* Isometric Tremor: Tremor that occurs when a muscle is held tense against resistance in a fixed position, without joint movement. For example, when holding a heavy object steady.
2. Classification Based on Causes and Characteristics:
* Essential Tremor: A neurological condition characterized by involuntary, rhythmic shaking and tremor, resulting from the brain's regions controlling muscle coordination failing to communicate properly. It is one of the most common movement disorders. It typically affects both hands and arms during movement; sometimes it can also involve the head, voice, or lower limbs. It usually begins in adolescence or middle age and can show genetic predisposition. It may progress over time.
* Dystonic Tremor: A movement disorder caused by incorrect messages from the brain leading to overactive muscles, resulting in abnormal postures or involuntary movements. It can affect any muscle in the body and is usually seen in young or middle-aged individuals.
* Cerebellar Tremor: Tremors in the arms, legs, hands, or feet that worsen towards the end of purposeful movements (e.g., while writing), typically resulting from a stroke, tumor, disease, or a hereditary disorder.
* Functional (Psychogenic) Tremor: A type of tremor with psychological origins that can begin suddenly and vary in intensity over time, mimicking any tremor form. It can worsen with increased attention or decrease/disappear when attention is diverted.
* Enhanced Physiological Tremor: A type of tremor where normally unnoticeable physiological tremor becomes prominent under certain conditions (e.g., medication use, alcohol withdrawal, medical problems like overactive thyroid, hypoglycemia). It typically affects the hands and fingers and is associated with a systemic cause rather than a neurological issue.
* Parkinsonian Tremor: A characteristic symptom of Parkinson's disease, occurring especially at rest. It commonly affects the hands but can also be seen in the jaw, lips, face, and legs. Its intensity can increase with stress and emotional moments. It may not be observed in all Parkinson's patients.
* Orthostatic Tremor: A high-frequency tremor that appears in the legs when standing up. It usually disappears when the person sits down or starts walking.