Your body shaking inside, known as internal tremors or vibrations, can stem from common issues like stress, anxiety, caffeine, low blood sugar, or fatigue, but can also signal underlying neurological conditions such as Parkinson's, MS, or essential tremor, especially if persistent or accompanied by other symptoms; it's best to see a doctor to find the cause.
To reduce or relieve tremors:
Tremor is not life threatening, but it may cause challenges and even lead to disabilities. Tremor can make daily life tasks such as writing, typing, eating, shaving, and dressing more difficult. Common symptoms may include: Rhythmic shaking of the hands, arms, head, legs, or torso.
Tingling, buzzing, or vibrating feelings in your body can sometimes be due to nerve signals sending extra messages. These sensations might be linked to conditions like diabetes, phantom vibration syndrome or internal tremors seen in some people, including those with a history of long COVID.
Sometimes you might feel a vibration or trembling all over your body. This can happen when your muscles are tired or when you're under stress. Your body may also react to too much caffeine, certain medicines, or even anxiety by having these little shakes.
However, tremors and other movement disorders are associated with vitamin deficiency, most vitamins B1, B6 and especially B12. B12 is very important for keeping your nervous system in good working order. Severe lack of Vitamin B12 is rare, but shakiness and tremors can occur even in mild deficiency.
Relaxation Techniques: Stress and anxiety can worsen tremor symptoms, so it's important to try out different relaxation techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing and meditation. These relaxation techniques will help to calm the mind and body, and thus reduce tremor symptoms.
Trembling or shaking can be a clear indicator of anxiety, especially when it occurs without any physical exertion, manifesting as subtle shakes in the hands or more noticeable tremors throughout the body.
The weakness is sudden and severe. You're experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath. The shakiness is accompanied by confusion or fainting. You have a known medical condition like diabetes and can't control your blood sugar.
Feeling weak, shaky, and tired may be due to something that is easy to treat. For example, if the symptoms stem from dehydration, drinking more water should resolve the problem. Likewise, some chronic conditions that cause these symptoms might improve when a person engages in healthy lifestyle habits.
Identifying Early Signs of Essential Tremor
The initial manifestation of essential tremor often involves a slight shaking or trembling in one or both hands. The tremor typically occurs when the hands are in use, termed an “action tremor,” contrasting with tremors that occur at rest.
Certain metabolic conditions, like hyperthyroidism, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hypomagnesemia. These are typically treatable. Certain neurodegenerative conditions, like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). Stroke.
Essential tremor can be confused with typical Parkinson's disease symptoms, but the two movement disorders are separate conditions. Because these diagnoses can get tangled up, it's helpful to understand their differences.
Tremor red flags signaling a potentially serious underlying condition include sudden onset, worsening over time, significant functional impairment, or the presence of other neurological symptoms like balance/gait issues (ataxia), slow movements (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness (rigidity), speech problems (dysarthria), or changes in thinking/memory; unusual age (under 20 or over 80); or association with alcohol withdrawal, certain medications, or systemic illness (e.g., thyroid issues). These signs warrant urgent medical evaluation to differentiate from common tremors.
PD, MS, and ET are the most common causes of internal tremors. For many people, treatments for tremors will be similar to treatments for these neurological conditions. Avoiding known triggers, such as stress or stimulants, can also help.
Why Does Anxiety Cause Shaking? Shaking is a natural response to stress and anxiety. When you feel anxious, your body releases adrenaline, preparing you for a “fight or flight” response. This surge of adrenaline increases heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension, which can result in trembling or shaking.
See a doctor right away if you have a tremor and any of these warning signs: Tremors that started suddenly. Changes in your thinking. Muscle weakness.
Are Internal Body Tremors a Sign of Something Serious? Internal tremors are often benign but can sometimes indicate an underlying neurological condition, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) or multiple sclerosis (MS).
Researchers have suggested that anyone can experience internal tremors, but they are more pronounced in people with Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and essential tremor [2]. Other potential causes include low iron, vitamin B12 or vitamin D deficiencies or diabetes.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
However, it typically worsens over time and can be severe for some people. Other conditions don't cause essential tremor, but essential tremor sometimes is confused with Parkinson's disease. Essential tremor can happen at any age but is most common in people age 40 and older.
There is evidence that several HKMDs, including Huntington disease, RLS, and tremor, are associated with low vitamin D serum levels.