Terms used to describe tremor
When making a diagnosis of essential tremor, medical professionals look at how the shakes manifest. The frequency and amplitude of tremors are two important factors. These terms and how they appear in a hand tremor are explained by the example that follows:
- Amplitude: The length from end to end that your hand travels during a tremor is known as its amplitude. The magnitude of the tremor increases with distance. The magnitude of the tremor can change depending on certain factors, such as action or posture, as the essential tremor evolves.
- Frequency; Each time you shake your hand, there is a tremor cycle. The number of cycles of a tremor in a second is its frequency. Hertz is the standard measure of cycles per second internationally (abbreviated Hz). Six to twelve tremor cycles per second are typical for essential tremor, however this might vary from person to person and slows down as tremor amplitude rises.