--- title: "Tremor: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Tremor is rhythmic, involuntary shaking, most often essential tremor or worsened by caffeine and anxiety; tremor at rest with slowness needs GP review." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/tremor/ robots: noindex --- # Tremor: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Tremor is rhythmic, involuntary shaking, most often essential tremor or worsened by caffeine and anxiety; tremor at rest with slowness needs GP review. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could tremor mean? A tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary shaking movement, most often affecting the hands. Tremor that appears when you use your hands is often essential tremor, or it is worsened by caffeine and anxiety. A tremor that occurs at rest, especially with slowness or stiffness, needs assessment for Parkinson's disease. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Tremor, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of tremor - Essential tremor often runs in families and appears when using the hands. - Caffeine and anxiety can make any tremor noticeably worse. - Parkinson's disease typically causes a tremor that occurs at rest. - An overactive thyroid (thyrotoxicosis) can cause a fine tremor. - Some medicines can cause shaking as a side effect. ## Understanding tremor A tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary shaking movement, most often noticed in the hands. The type of tremor, and the situations in which it appears, both matter because they help point towards the underlying cause. ## Causes of tremor The main causes of tremor are **essential tremor**, a heightened **physiological tremor**, **Parkinson’s disease** and **thyroid** problems. Some medicines can also cause shaking as a side effect, which is known as drug-induced tremor. ## Self-care for tremor Reducing your caffeine intake and managing stress can both lessen a tremor. If shaking makes everyday tasks difficult, adaptive utensils and similar equipment can make eating and drinking easier. ## When a GP will refer you for tremor A tremor that is progressive, or that limits what you can do day to day, should be assessed by a GP. Referral to a neurology specialist may follow if the assessment suggests it is needed. ## ! When to get medical help for tremor See a GP if a tremor is new, is getting steadily worse, or comes with slowness or stiffness of movement. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about tremor What is essential tremor? Essential tremor is an action tremor, which means the shaking appears when you are using your hands rather than when they are resting. It often runs in families. Can anxiety cause a tremor? Yes, anxiety can cause a fine shake driven by adrenaline. Treating the underlying anxiety and reducing your caffeine intake usually helps this type of tremor. What does a Parkinson's disease tremor look like? A Parkinson's tremor typically occurs when the hand is at rest rather than in use. It usually comes together with slowness of movement and stiffness, which is why these features are assessed alongside the shaking. Will giving up coffee stop my tremor? Cutting back on caffeine is a reasonable first step, because caffeine can make a tremor worse. If the tremor persists after you have reduced caffeine, see a GP so the cause can be properly assessed. ## Sources - [NHS — Tremor Or Shaking Hands](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tremor-or-shaking-hands) - [NHS — Parkinsons Disease](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease)