There are many things that may cause leg tremors. For example, a person may develop them in relation to a central nervous system disease or even because his thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly. In some cases, medication may cause leg tremors, and even drinking to excess may stimulate them. Sometimes a person develops tremors because of an inherited condition. Unfortunately, there are even some cases in which doctors are unable to determine why the patient is experiencing tremors.
When a person has leg tremors, his legs tremble or shake uncontrollably. This may affect one or both legs. Tremors can affect various parts of the body at one time or the legs alone. They typically affect people who have reached middle age and senior citizens more often than others. No one is immune to their development, however; they can affect both sexes and people of all ages.
Among the common causes of leg tremors are diseases that affect the central nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, a person may cause damage to his nerves that leads trembling. For example, a heavy drinker may suffer nerve damage that causes him to experience tremors. Interestingly, however, some people notice their tremors are less obvious while they are drinking.
Some types of medications, such as drugs used to treat mental health issues, also have the potential to cause tremors. In other cases, a seemingly unrelated medical condition may be at fault when tremors develop. For example, if the thyroid gland, which is a gland critical for the production of growth and metabolic hormones, is overactive, it may cause leg tremors as well. Sometimes a person may even develop them because of an inherited condition. There are, however, cases in which doctors are unable to determine a definite cause.
There are also some things that may not cause tremors in person’s legs but may make existing tremors worse. For example, a person may be more prone to tremors while fatigued or dealing with stress. The over-consumption of caffeine and withdrawal from alcohol may also stimulate tremors or make them more noticeable.
Treatment for tremors may depend on what caused them. In some cases, patients can help themselves by avoiding things that trigger their tremors. In other cases, however, medications such as beta blockers, which work to block certain stimulatory impulses, may be used in an attempt to control them. Therapy sometimes proves helpful as well. Additionally, deep brain stimulation or surgery may be used to treat severe tremors.