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Muscle spasms can sometimes lead to seizure-like symptoms, including uncontrollable jerking of limbs. Myoclonic seizures, for example, are characterised by brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles. They are often mistaken for tics or tremors and can be easily overlooked. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in changes in awareness and muscle control. Febrile seizures, which are harmless and caused by fever, can also lead to convulsions and the movement of limbs on both sides of the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle spasms | Can be a symptom of low potassium in the blood |
| Can be caused by withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs | |
| Can be a symptom of epilepsy | |
| Can be a symptom of restless leg syndrome | |
| Seizures | Can be caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain |
| Can be caused by underlying medical conditions, injuries, or illnesses | |
| Can cause muscle weakness | |
| Can cause changes in awareness and muscle control | |
| Can cause uncontrollable movements, convulsions, and jerking | |
| Can be focal or generalized | |
| Can cause loss of consciousness | |
| Can be tonic-clonic, tonic, atonic, or myoclonic |
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What You'll Learn
Myoclonic seizures
There are several medicines that can help prevent myoclonic seizures, and they often respond well to the appropriate medication. However, treatment for progressive myoclonic epilepsies (PME) is usually not successful for very long as the patient's condition deteriorates over time. Surgery may be an option if medication cannot control the seizures, and a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is sometimes implanted and used with anti-epileptic medication to lower seizures.
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Febrile seizures
There are two types of febrile seizures: simple and complex. Simple febrile seizures are the most common type, lasting a few seconds to 15 minutes and occurring only once in 24 hours. They do not cause long-term health problems or brain damage and are not indicative of a more serious underlying disorder. Complex febrile seizures either last longer than 15 minutes, occur more than once within 24 hours, or happen only on one side of the child's body. While complex febrile seizures can be frightening, they also generally do not cause long-term issues.
Although rare, some children with cerebral palsy, delayed development, or other neurological issues who experience febrile seizures have an increased risk of developing epilepsy later in life. Therefore, it is important to have your child evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible after a febrile seizure.
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Tonic-clonic seizures
During a tonic-clonic seizure, a person loses consciousness and falls to the floor. Their muscles stiffen, and air is forced past the vocal cords, causing a cry or groan. The arms and legs then begin to jerk rapidly and rhythmically, bending and relaxing at the elbows, hips, and knees. The person may bite their tongue or the inside of their cheeks, resulting in bloody saliva. They may also lose control of their bladder or bowel. After a few minutes, the jerking slows and stops, and the person gradually regains awareness. They may feel confused, exhausted, sore, sad, or embarrassed for a few hours and may not remember having a seizure.
First aid for a person experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure should focus on ensuring their breathing is okay and that they don't injure themselves. Do not attempt to hold the person still or put anything in their mouth, as this may lead to injury. Instead, help them to the floor and clear away any objects that could hurt them. Time the seizure, and if it lasts more than 5 minutes, call for medical help.
While muscle spasms can be a symptom of low potassium in the blood, it is important to note that tonic-clonic seizures are not solely caused by muscle spasms. They are a result of abnormal brain activity and can be treated through medication, surgery, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or a combination of these approaches.
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Focal onset aware seizures
During a focal onset aware seizure, an individual may experience a range of symptoms depending on the affected area of the brain. These symptoms can include shaking or abnormal sensations in one part of the body, sudden nausea, flashing lights or visual disturbances, hallucinations involving the senses, temporary numbness or weakness in a limb or the face, or a feeling of déjà vu. It is important to note that these symptoms can sometimes be similar to those of other health conditions, such as stomach disorders or a pinched nerve.
To diagnose focal onset aware seizures, doctors may employ various tests and tools. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) can record electrical activity in the brain and detect unusual spikes or waves associated with seizures. However, it is important to note that EEGs may not always show seizure discharges during a focal aware seizure. Additional diagnostic tools include blood tests, urine tests, and brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. MRI and CT scans can reveal structural abnormalities in the brain, providing valuable insights into the underlying causes of the seizures.
Treatment options are available to help prevent focal onset aware seizures. Medication is the most common form of treatment, but other alternatives can be explored if medication proves ineffective. In some cases, children may outgrow focal aware seizures as they develop. Seeking medical advice and creating a comprehensive plan with a healthcare provider is crucial for managing focal onset aware seizures effectively.
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Epileptic spasms
Myoclonic seizures are characterised by brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or muscle group. The word "myoclonic" combines the Greek prefix for muscle, "myo", with "clonus", which means twitching. Myoclonic seizures do not cause any loss of awareness — the person is awake and conscious during the seizures. Infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are two epilepsy syndromes characterised by myoclonic seizures, among other symptoms. A person having a myoclonic seizure experiences a sudden increase in muscle tone as if they have been jolted with electricity.
Infantile spasms are the most common type of myoclonic seizures, occurring just after waking up and rarely during sleep. This particularly severe form of epilepsy can have lasting effects on the child and should be treated without delay. This rare epilepsy syndrome affects young children and includes myoclonic seizures of the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and face, along with other types of seizures. Infantile spasms have been associated with developmental delay or regression. The earlier infantile spasms are recognised and treated, the better the developmental outcome.
Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) has been reclassified to include patients who do not meet the full West syndrome criteria. The spasms present with characteristic EEG changes known as hypsarrhythmia. IESS is a rare disorder with an incidence of 1.6 to 4.5 per 10,000 live births, with an average onset age of 3 to 7 months.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle spasms can sometimes be mistaken for myoclonic seizures, which are characterised by brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles. However, myoclonic seizures are the result of abnormal brain activity.
Myoclonic seizures are brief, shock-like spasms of a muscle or muscle group. They are often associated with epilepsy and can occur in clusters. The word "myoclonic" comes from the Greek "myo", meaning muscle, and "clonus", meaning twitching.
Myoclonic seizures can cause a sudden jerk of the body, which may result in someone dropping an object or falling. They can occur on one or both sides of the body and are often mistaken for tics, tremors, or clumsiness.
Myoclonic seizures are usually diagnosed based on medical history and an EEG test, which records electrical activity in the brain. An MRI or CT scan may also be used to look for structural problems in the brain.
Myoclonic seizures often respond well to medication. Treatment for myoclonic seizures is typically tailored to the individual and aims to manage the frequency and severity of symptoms.
