Dominic Stone
Muscle seizures, also known as myoclonic seizures, are a type of seizure that causes sharp, uncontrollable muscle movements. They are usually minor, brief, and non-disabling, but they can also be severe and happen in conjunction with epilepsy. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by a quick jerk of the body, which may result in the person dropping an object or falling. They can affect a single muscle or a group of related muscles, and they are often treatable with medication. Myoclonic seizures are most common in people with generalized or genetic epilepsy, specifically juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), which makes up about 5% to 10% of all epilepsy cases. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, and they can vary in severity and impact from person to person.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Physical changes in behavior that occur during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain |
| Causes | Abnormal electrical activity in the brain |
| Types | Focal seizures, generalized nonmotor or "absence" seizures, myoclonic seizures, frontal lobe seizures, temporal lobe seizures, neocortical seizures |
| Symptoms | Muscle jerks or spasms, loss of consciousness, lapses of consciousness, staring into space, quick eye blinking, chewing or hand movements, convulsions, muscle contractions, muscle weakness, unusual or uncontrolled movements, nausea, emotions (such as déjà vu or fear), unusual smells or tastes, headache or pain in the muscles post-seizure, auras, unusual sensations, visual hallucinations, emotional changes |
| Risk Factors | History of epilepsy or seizures, childhood or teenage years, diabetes, pregnancy, high fever, low blood sugar, drug or alcohol misuse and withdrawal, flashing lights, being overtired |
| Treatment | Medication, loosening tight clothing, turning the person on their side, CPR (if necessary) |
| Prevention | Protecting the person from injury, laying the person on the ground in a safe area, clearing the area of sharp objects, cushioning the person's head |
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What You'll Learn
Myoclonic seizures
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), which usually involves the neck, shoulders, and upper arms, and may be triggered by fatigue or flashing lights.
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, an uncommon syndrome that usually includes other types of seizures and begins in early childhood.
- Progressive myoclonic epilepsy, a rare disorder characterised by a combination of myoclonic and tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures.
- Infantile spasms, which typically consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening, with the child's arms flinging outward and their body bending forward.
If you or someone you know is experiencing myoclonic seizures, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to make a diagnosis and begin treatment. While myoclonic seizures can often be well-controlled with medication, treatment can be difficult as the patient may deteriorate over time and develop other symptoms. Anti-seizure medications are the most common treatment, but it may take a few tries to find the right drug and dosage. Surgery may be an option if medication is ineffective, and a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) can be used in conjunction with medication to lower seizures.
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Focal seizures
A muscle seizure can be defined as a brief, sudden jerking of muscles, which may result in someone dropping an object or, less commonly, lead to a fall. Seizures are a result of uncontrolled surges of electrical activity in the brain, causing affected brain cells (neurons) to send signals to other neurons around them. Myoclonic seizures, for example, are characterised by these brief, sudden jerks or spasms of muscles.
Complex focal seizures, on the other hand, can result in a loss of awareness. They may cause the person to stare blankly into space or experience automatisms, which are non-purposeful, repetitive movements such as lip-smacking, blinking, grunting, or shouting. These seizures often follow a simple focal seizure (aura).
The symptoms of focal seizures depend on the specific area of the brain where they originate. They can be indicative of an underlying brain condition and may progress to memory problems, issues with thinking ability, and an increased risk for mood disorders over time. It is important to seek medical attention and explore treatment options to control focal seizures effectively.
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Epilepsy syndromes
A muscle seizure can occur as a symptom of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a broad term for a brain disorder that causes seizures. An epilepsy syndrome is identified by a specific seizure type or types and by the findings on an electroencephalogram (EEG). Not everyone with epilepsy will have an epilepsy syndrome.
Some examples of epilepsy syndromes include:
- Myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE), also known as Doose syndrome, is an epilepsy syndrome of early childhood, commonly appearing between ages 1 and 5. MAE seizures are often resistant to medication, but anti-seizure drugs valproate and levetiracetam may be helpful.
- Benign rolandic epilepsy, also known as BRE or benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), is an epilepsy syndrome affecting children and accounts for about 15% of childhood epilepsy cases. Seizures appear as twitching, numbness, or tingling of the child's face or tongue, which may interfere with speech and cause drooling.
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is uncommon and usually includes other types of seizures. It begins in early childhood and is commonly found in children with brain development problems or acquired brain damage. The seizures are usually quite strong and are difficult to control.
- Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurocutaneous disorder that affects the brain and skin. It is identifiable by a "port-wine stain" around the eye area. Children with SWS may experience seizures, weakness on one side of the body, developmental delays, and increased pressure in the eye.
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Seizure triggers
A muscle seizure, or myoclonic seizure, is a brief, sudden jerking of muscles. Myoclonic seizures can be easily overlooked because they are so brief and appear as extra normal movements. However, they can sometimes lead to falls or the dropping of objects.
Sleep
Some people's seizures occur only during sleep or when they are waking up. Myoclonic seizures often occur soon after waking up and can be triggered by being overtired.
Stress and illness
Seizures may be more likely to occur when an individual is under a lot of stress or is unwell.
Diet
Dietary factors that can trigger seizures include long periods without eating, dehydration, low blood sugar, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and specific foods or excess caffeine.
Flashing lights
Flashing lights are a known trigger for some people, particularly those with photosensitive epilepsy.
Reading or noises
Less commonly, seizures may be triggered by reading or by certain noises.
It is important to note that triggers can vary from person to person, and some people may have multiple triggers. Keeping a seizure diary can help individuals identify patterns and potential triggers, which can then be avoided or managed to reduce the likelihood of seizures.
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Seizure first aid
Seizures are common, with about 1 in 10 people experiencing one in their lifetime. They can happen at unpredictable times and in inconvenient locations. It is important to know how to respond when someone is having a seizure. Here are the steps to provide first aid to someone experiencing a seizure:
Stay Calm and Keep Others Calm
It is important to remain calm and composed during such situations. Talk calmly and reassuringly to the person before, during, and after the seizure. This will help them recover from the seizure. Keeping calm will also help others around you stay calm.
Remove Any Potential Hazards
Clear the space around the person to prevent injury. Remove anything near them that can cause harm, like sharp objects or hard surfaces. Ease them to the ground if they appear to be falling.
Time the Seizure
Use a watch to time the seizure from the beginning to the end of the active seizure. Timing the seizure will help you determine if emergency help is needed. Most seizures last just a few minutes, but if it goes on for more than 5 minutes, seek immediate medical attention or call an emergency number.
Turn the Person on Their Side
After the seizure ends, gently turn the person onto their side with their mouth pointing downwards. This will keep their airway clear. Put something soft and flat, like a jacket, under their head.
Loosen Tight Clothing and Remove Glasses
Remove the person's eyeglasses if they are wearing any. Also, loosen any tight clothing, especially around the neck, to ensure unobstructed breathing.
Offer Reassurance and Comfort
Once the person is alert, comfort them and explain what happened. Offer to call a friend or loved one to help them get home safely.
Do Not Restrain or Hold Down the Person
Do not hold the person down or try to stop their movements. This could injure both of you. Do not put anything in their mouth, as it can hurt their teeth or jaw.
Do Not Offer Food or Water Right After the Seizure
Do not offer water or food until the person is fully alert. This is not necessary and could cause them to choke.
Check for Medical ID
Check to see if the person is wearing a medical bracelet or ID. This can provide information about any medical conditions, medicines, and emergency contacts. Rescue medicines can be given if prescribed by a healthcare professional.
It is important to learn to recognize the signs of a seizure so you can help effectively. While these steps provide basic first aid guidance, you can also consider getting certified in seizure first aid to gain more in-depth knowledge and skills.
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Frequently asked questions
A muscle seizure is a type of seizure that causes sharp, uncontrollable muscle movements. They are usually minor and brief but can sometimes happen with very severe seizure disorders.
Muscle seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They are often associated with epilepsy but can also be triggered by other factors such as high fevers, low blood sugar, or drug or alcohol misuse and withdrawal.
Symptoms of a muscle seizure can include muscle jerks or spasms, loss of consciousness, confusion, and abnormal movements. In some cases, seizures may cause a person to fall or drop an object they are holding.
Muscle seizures can often be treated with medication. In the event of a seizure, it is important to protect the person from injury by moving them to a safe area, cushioning their head, and loosening any tight clothing.
