What is Myoclonus?

Myoclonus is an abrupt, brief muscle contraction (such as a twitch, jerk, or spasm). It occurs when a muscle contracts prematurely and typically lasts a fraction of a second. It might occur in an individual muscle or in multiple ones. Certain factors are more likely to affect muscles in the hands or feet, shoulders or hips, spine or face.

Myoclonus can occur in anyone, healthy or not, at some stage in their life. But it's also a potential sign of several medical conditions, some of which are severe.

There are two principal ways myoclonus occurs:

• Positive myoclonus: Were muscles contract or flex suddenly.
• Negative myoclonus: Where muscles relax suddenly (the formal name for this is "asterixis," and professionals tend to describe it as a "hand-flapping tremor").

What are the most frequent causes of myoclonus?

Myoclonus may occur for a multitude of reasons. Some of them are normal and predictable. Others occur due to certain conditions and diseases that impact different systems in your body. Specialists classify myoclonus into four broad categories.

Normal types of Myoclonus

Several processes in your body may make myoclonus occur for normal purposes. Specialists refer to these instances of "physiological myoclonus." They are:

• Hiccups (which are normal unless they persist for a couple of days or longer).
• Sleep myoclonus (also referred to as hypnic jerks) is a brief, stiff muscle movements that occur as you are falling asleep or waking up.
• Startle reflexes (a jump-like movement that you can't stop when you're surprised or frightened).

Epileptic myoclonus

Myoclonus may occur with or because of seizures (particularly myoclonic seizures). This involves seizures from various types of epilepsy, like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Secondary myoclonus

When myoclonus is a symptom of another illness, specialists refer to this as "secondary myoclonus." Secondary myoclonus may occur for a variety of reasons. Some affect only your brain or other parts of your nervous system. Others may affect many systems in your body.

Causes of secondary myoclonus include:

• Autoimmune diseases: illnesses in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body, such as celiac disease.
• Blood and body chemistry imbalances: These may result from kidney, liver, or thyroid disease. They can also result from vitamin or mineral deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances.
• Brain lesions: These are areas of brain tissue that become damaged. The damage disrupts how these areas function, which in turn leads to myoclonus. Examples include injury due to insufficient oxygen (cerebral hypoxia) or insufficient blood supply from a stroke.
• Degenerative brain illnesses: Some examples include Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. It may also occur with Parkinson's disease-related dementia.
• Genetic illness: These illnesses occur due to DNA mutations, such as those you can inherit from your biological parents. Examples include Krabbe disease and Wilson disease.
• Infections: These usually include viral or bacterial infections that affect your brain or other parts of your nervous system, such as herpes simplex virus or Lyme disease.
• Nerve and spinal cord injuries: Injury to your spinal cord or nerves can disrupt the normal communication between your brain and parts of your body. Without such communication, those body areas may behave spontaneously, leading to myoclonus.
• Non-medical substances and drugs: These include alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, and others. Inhalants such as toluene and gasoline also trigger myoclonus.
• Medications: More than a dozen medications may cause myoclonus. These include anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, blood pressure medication, antibiotics, opioid pain relievers, and anesthetics.
• Poisons and toxins: Heavy metal poisoning, for example, due to lead, manganese, and mercury, may result in myoclonus. It may also occur with other toxins, e.g., insecticides like methyl bromide.

Essential myoclonus

Essential myoclonus is an inherited condition. This familial form of myoclonus isn't dangerous and typically doesn't worsen with time. But muscle movements could become more prominent after alcohol consumption.

How is myoclonus treated?

The common types of myoclonus generally do not require treatment. The treatment of other types of myoclonus will differ greatly. The treatments often depend on the cause, your family medical history, and other factors. Due to the varying treatments, a doctor is best suited to explain the available treatments and what they would prefer.

How can this symptom be prevented?

Myoclonus occurs very quickly and often without warning. The usual and necessary types of it aren't preventable.

But some of the causes of secondary myoclonus can be prevented. You might also be able to decrease how often epileptic myoclonus occurs or how bad it is. Some things you can do are:

• Avoid non-medical drug use: This means avoid using non-prescription drugs and using prescribed drugs in any way other than how your provider prescribed them. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice myoclonus after starting a new medication or non-medical drug use. Their job is not to judge you, but to assist you, and they must be informed about anything and everything that you've used so that they can treat you effectively and safely.
• Protect your nervous system: Wearing protective gear, such as helmets and seat belts, can prevent injuries to your brain, spinal cord, and other parts of your nervous system.
• Care for chronic illnesses: Epilepsy, thyroid illness, and other chronic illnesses can be the cause of myoclonus. Taking care of such illnesses, as advised by your doctor, can prevent myoclonus or reduce its frequency.

When should this symptom be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?

Normal types of myoclonus don't require treatment. If myoclonus continues to occur — particularly if it begins to interfere with your normal activities and routine — you should visit a healthcare provider. Myoclonus that interferes with your life can be a sign of more serious problems.

Why choose Tender Palm Super Specialty for Myoclonus Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital offers advanced Myoclonus treatment in Lucknow at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced neurologists, movement disorder specialists, neurophysiologists, and rehabilitation experts who provide accurate diagnosis, personalized neurological care, and advanced treatment for Myoclonus. Our neurosciences team has extensive experience in successfully treating Myoclonus in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Myoclonus Treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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