Can myoclonus be caused by stress?
Causes. In addition to being caused by epileptic seizures, myoclonus also can be triggered by: Infection. Stress.
What is the most common cause of myoclonus?
Myoclonus may be caused: most commonly by a disturbance of the brain or spinal cord (the central nervous system, or CNS), or. more rarely by an injury to the peripheral nerves (the nerves outside the CNS that connect to sensory organs and muscles, and relay information from/to the CNS).
Is myoclonus a neurological disease?
These forms of myoclonus occur in healthy people and rarely present a problem. Other forms of myoclonus may occur because of a nervous system (neurological) disorder, such as epilepsy, a metabolic condition, or a reaction to a medication.
How do you treat essential myoclonus?
Medications that doctors commonly prescribe for myoclonus include:
- Tranquilizers. Clonazepam (Klonopin), a tranquilizer, is the most common drug used to combat myoclonus symptoms.
- Anticonvulsants. Drugs used to control epileptic seizures have proved helpful in reducing myoclonus symptoms.
Does myoclonus affect the brain?
More severe cases of myoclonus can distort movement and severely limit a person’s ability to eat, talk, or walk. These types of myoclonus may indicate an underlying disorder in the brain or nerves.
Can brain tumor causing myoclonus?
General symptoms from the tumor pressing on the brain or spinal cord: Seizures. Motor seizures, also called convulsions, are sudden involuntary movements of a person’s muscles. People may experience different types of seizures, including myoclonic, tonic-clonic (grand mal), sensory, and complex partial.
Which is an example of a physiological myoclonus?
Physiological myoclonus. This type of myoclonus occurs in normal, healthy people and rarely needs treatment. Examples include: Hiccups. Sleep starts. Shakes or spasms due to anxiety or exercise. Infant muscle twitching during sleep or after a feeding.
Why do I have so many myoclonus symptoms?
Other forms of myoclonus may occur because of a nervous system (neurological) disorder, such as epilepsy, a metabolic condition, or a reaction to a medication. Ideally, treating the underlying cause will help control your myoclonus symptoms.
What is the difference between positive and negative myoclonus?
Myoclonus describes a symptom and not a diagnosis of a disease. It refers to sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. Myoclonic twitches or jerks usually are caused by sudden muscle contractions, called positive myoclonus, or by muscle relaxation, called negative myoclonus.
What can I do about myoclonus muscle contractions?
Myoclonus can be physiologic (eg, hiccuping, sleep-related muscle contractions) or secondary to various brain disorders, systemic disorders, or drugs. If a metabolic disturbance is the cause, correct it, and when necessary, give drugs (eg, clonazepam, valproate, levetiracetam) to relieve symptoms.