shaky hands

[LasVegasOG]

Hey, As im sure everyone here is LE or wants to be, I am wanting to be. Now before I test I want to make sure everything is good to go. Lately I have been noticing I have shaky hands. Some people ask why are you shaking? its not serious shaking, just enough to make me want to go get it checked out. Also (even though it is getting better) I think a may have a slight thing of A.d.d. I want to get this looked at too. I know its all not serious probs. but say i go get it checked out and I do have to take some medicine for it how would a police medical examiner look at this?

[mxwelch]

Are you getting enough sleep? How about your diet? Too much caffeine? Do you drink? Details...

[TWIGGY]

Normally, our hands shake very, very slightly all the time we are awake. This is because the tiny muscle fibres in our hands and arms constantly contract and relax at random. It is only when shakiness of our hands begins to interfere with writing, holding a cup of coffee or using a knife and fork that it becomes a problem. When people notice their hands are shaky, they often start to worry that they have Parkinson's disease; this is usually not the case.

If you are worried about shakiness, consult your doctor rather than trying to work out the cause yourself. There are many varieties of shakiness that are difficult to describe, but doctors can recognize the common types easily from experience. Also, some simple tests, such as a blood test for thyroid overactivity, might be appropriate. Your doctors may use the word 'tremor' to describe shakiness that consists of small movements.

Common causes
Anxiety. We all become trembly if we are angry, stressed, anxious ('shaking with nerves') or very tired.

Low blood sugar causes shakiness because the nerves and muscles are deprived of fuel. The adrenaline system responds by kicking in, and this can make the shakiness worse for a while. The circumstances will make it obvious if this is what is happening in your case. A low blood sugar is most likely to occur if you eat a lot of sugary snack foods; these raise the blood sugar sharply, but then it plummets down again. The answer is to eat more slowly digested carbohydrates, such as plenty of bread and potatoes, porridge for breakfast instead of a sweet cereal, fruit such as bananas instead of sweet puddings. A low blood sugar can also occur after excessive exercise.

Too much coffee and tea can make you a bit shaky, particularly in combination with a low blood sugar. So cut down the amount of coffee or strong tea that you drink, and avoid 'meals' that are mainly sweet foods and lots of coffee.

'Essential tremor' is one of the commonest types of shakiness. Instead contracting at random, the tiny muscle fibres contract and relax together ('synchronization'), resulting in more noticeable movements. (In medicine, the word 'essential' has a special meaning – it is used to describe a condition that is not caused by any other medical condition or disease, but simply exists on its own.) Essential tremor is unusual in young people, but affects 1 in 20 of the population over the age of 40. It tends to run in families, and usually affects the hands, often the head, and sometimes the voice and other parts of the body as well. It becomes worse when you use your hands to do something, such as picking up a small object, or if you try to maintain a position, such as holding a cup steady. If you rest your hands quietly on your lap, the shaking usually stops. It is uncontrollable and doesn't mean you are 'nervy' or 'neurotic' (although, frustratingly, it becomes worse when you are anxious). An alcoholic drink often improves it, but obviously you should not overdo this remedy. If the shaking is really troublesome, your doctor can prescribe a drug such as a beta-blocker or primidone. Avoid too much coffee and strong tea.

Less common causes
Drugs can sometimes be responsible, in particular some asthma drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and lithium. A few drugs, such as some tranquillizers, can cause shakiness if you stop taking them suddenly. Similarly, a heavy drinker may get 'the shakes' the morning after a binge.

Parkinson's disease is much less common than essential tremor. It does cause shaking of the hands but, unlike essential tremor, the shaking is worse when you are resting and not using the hand. The shaking in Parkinson's disease is called 'pill rolling' because it is like rolling a small pill between your thumb and the side of your index finger.

Overactive thyroid is more common in women than in men, and occurs most commonly in the people in their 20s and 30s. If your thyroid is overactive, shakiness will not be the only symptom; for example, you usually lose weight even though you are eating well. Your doctor can do a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels.


As for A.D.D. .........

I thought I had A.D.D. until I was introduced to someone who is now a really good friend of mine. He is A.D.D.H.D. 2 minutes ( if it got that far ) into a conversation and I was beating my head off of the wall. Now I understand his condition, and it scared me into being normal http://forums.realpolice.net/misc.ph...=0&forumid=46#
Big Grin

[RRworker]

Hey, As im sure everyone here is LE or wants to be, I am wanting to be. Now before I test I want to make sure everything is good to go. Lately I have been noticing I have shaky hands. Some people ask why are you shaking? its not serious shaking, just enough to make me want to go get it checked out. Also (even though it is getting better) I think a may have a slight thing of A.d.d. I want to get this looked at too. I know its all not serious probs. but say i go get it checked out and I do have to take some medicine for it how would a police medical examiner look at this?

Although your problem does not sound serious, it could be the start of something that is. I would get it checked out as soon as possible, explain to your doctor when the shaking is at its peak, etc... Do what you can to hide the shaking during an examination, fold your hands during an Oral Board, or the Poly. Not much you can do when you are taking a written test. A.D.D is a learning and attention disorder. It is not usually attributed to shaky hands. But do get it checked out, ASAP.

[LasVegasOG]

well you know I may make it more serious than it is. I still will get it checked out sometime. But you may be right about my eating habits. I eat bad. skip meals, or eat the wrong things. I gave up soda so that cant be it! maybe sugar who knows. AT work I always skip my lunch. As for the add its not like im moving around , squirming, etc. Just i can lose focus sometimes and or forget where i place things.. I guess im just worried because im close to testing. Regardless i still will go to see el doctor

[gypsea]

I have been an officer/detective for 15 years. I have had Essential Tremors (ET) for 8. It was first diagnosed when I began to have difficulty in qualifying with my firearm. It has progressed to the point where my doctor wants me to retire medically. Not a great way to go out! My hands only shake when I am under stress, holding utensils or holding my arms stretched out (firearm), etc. Never when resting. You may want to see a neurologist. They can perform quick tests right in the office and make a diagnosis. Also you may want to look at your parents and see if they have the same problem, as this is primarily a hereditary disease. Good Luck!

[Citicop]

I have been an officer/detective for 15 years. I have had Essential Tremors (ET) for 8. It was first diagnosed when I began to have difficulty in qualifying with my firearm. It has progressed to the point where my doctor wants me to retire medically. Not a great way to go out! My hands only shake when I am under stress, holding utensils or holding my arms stretched out (firearm), etc. Never when resting. You may want to see a neurologist. They can perform quick tests right in the office and make a diagnosis. Also you may want to look at your parents and see if they have the same problem, as this is primarily a hereditary disease. Good Luck!

Hi.

Um... welcome to the forum!

Stop by rap sheets and introduce yourself, and send a PM to Realpolice to get verified; you get a cool tag under your name and access to the restricted areas... It's neat!

Um. This thread is more than three years old, and the original poster has been banned since December of 2005.

Thread Necromancy is frowned on 'round these parts, newocmer!

:p

Citicop.

[CelticSmackdown]

Damn, I got sucked into an old thread.

Well...while I'm here - IBTL

[Kimble]

Um. This thread is more than three years old, and the original poster has been banned since December of 2005.

Thread Necromancy is frowned on 'round these parts, newocmer!

Yes it is.