A healthcare professional would define myoclonus as the quick, unexpected, short, and unintentional drying of the muscle(s). It relates to all groups of muscles. While some people wonder where the problem comes from, others know that various neurological issues often lead to myoclonus. It is rather a side effect than a separate illness. Between times, almost all people face this unpleasant condition.
Most probably, you have experienced a so-called “sleep start” at least once in your life. It reminds of the shocking spasm or cramp when getting ready for sleep or, vice versa, trying to wake up. It is one of the numerous forms of myoclonus. Even people without any problems suffer from this problem sometimes. When thinking about other examples, the first thing to come to mind is an abnormal startle. The worst type of the phenomena is the pathological myoclonus as it may disable the whole body for a while.
It is time to discuss things that lead to myoclonus. On the whole, the signs of this problem may be noticed each time some muscles receive an abnormal electrical impulse. Most often, the signals of this type are sent by the cortex and nerves themselves. People have some nerves outside the nervous system. In case of their injury, this effect takes place. Numerous health conditions and diagnosis are the causes of regular myoclonus. Those are epilepsy (running out of breath), head traumas, kidney issues, toxic poisoning, different tumors, and genetic defects.
What about the alarming signs? It is not that difficult to define the signs as the patient of any type can feel it. Most people describe the feelings associated with myoclonus in the same way: cramps, quick or long-lasting spasms, shaking, etc. to be more specific, these attacks can be best characterized as short, unexpected, unintentional, shocking, unstable, and occur in different parts of the body in the areas with muscles.
Even though it is not a serious diagnosis or a separate disorder, myoclonus may be rather severe. It may affect the way individual talks, eats or moves. Several forms of myoclonus exist, and they are all different by their nature. If no disorder is the reason for myoclonus to take place, a person deals with the essential type of this problem. Every human experiences thus uncomfortable feeling at least sometimes, so it does not matter whether he/she is healthy or not. Next, there is Opsoclonus Myoclonus. It is a quite rare phenomenon.
The persons share they experience short cramps in muscles and unusual movements of their organs of vision. The doctors also call this condition a Dancing Eyes-Dancing Feet Syndrome because of the connection with eyes. It really feels like dancing unintentionally. Next, action myoclonus exists as well. It may come out only once the individual attempts to move. It may lead to the complete paralysis. This type has an impact on the person’s limbs, face, and even voice. Finally, there is a stimulus sensitive one. To detect this type of myoclonus, it is important to have an irritator something nearby (lights, movements, etc.)
Diagnosis. Usually, the physician conducts several tests and puts down notes describing the nature of the cramps. Once he is done, the patient will be offered several methods to define and cope with myoclonus. They include the imaging exam (e.g., brain check), electroencephalogram, and electromyography.
The first type of tests can identify which part of the brain causes the condition. The second group of exams allows tracking the patterns of electrical activity. The third group of tests is there to scan the muscle health and behavior.
The last thing to learn is how to prevent myoclonus and whether it is possible. Well, it is possible to predict and avoid some of the associated problems by doing the following: keeping away from the risky situations that may result in brain damage. For instance, there is no way to ride your bike without a helmet. In case jerking starts over again after taking new drugs, inform your healthcare professional to avoid difficulties. Perhaps, another medication will help.
Learn more about myoclonus at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.