Whole body tremor may be caused by Parkinson’s disease, idiopathic tremor, hyperthyroidism, or physiological causes such as over-excitement and late nights.
1. One of the characteristics of Parkinson’s disease is a resting tremor, which occurs when both upper limbs move, and a generalized tremor is not common. However, if it is accompanied by slowness of movement and stiffness of the limbs, and progresses gradually over several years, then it is more likely that this generalized tremor is caused by Parkinson’s disease.
2. Idiopathic tremor occurs in the elderly and is a neurological disease of unknown cause. It can be manifested as obvious shaking of the head and limbs, and the patient looks as if he or she is trembling all over the body. If the whole body tremor occurs in the elderly, and the head and neck MRI does not find obvious lesions, then we should be highly alert to the possibility of this disease.
3. In patients with hyperthyroidism, the neuromuscular excitability is elevated, so it is easy for the whole body to tremble in times of excitement. Thyroid function tests can be used to help diagnose the disease.
4. Physiological factors: generalized trembling is not always caused by disease. Tremors may occur after over-excitement, exertion, or a long night’s sleep, but they are physiological and will be relieved after rest.
There may be other causes of generalized trembling, and it is recommended that patients seek medical treatment as soon as possible, and under the guidance of a professional physician, combined with the patient’s condition, signs and auxiliary examinations to identify the cause of the disease and give targeted treatment.