Logan Steele
Muscle seizure, or myoclonic seizure, is a type of seizure that causes brief, sudden, sharp, and uncontrollable muscle movements. These movements can range from a quick jerk or twitch that affects a single muscle to convulsions and spasms that affect a group of connected muscles. Myoclonic seizures are often associated with epilepsy, specifically juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), and can be triggered by factors such as fatigue, flashing lights, or underlying medical conditions. While myoclonic seizures are usually minor and non-disabling, they can vary in intensity and severity depending on the affected area of the brain. Treatment options, including medication and surgery, are available to help manage the frequency and impact of these seizures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Muscle seizures are abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes changes in awareness and muscle control. |
| Types | Myoclonic seizures, focal onset aware seizures, focal impaired awareness seizures, atonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, tonic seizures, motor seizures, and generalized nonmotor or "absence" seizures. |
| Symptoms | Muscle jerks or spasms, sudden emotional changes, teeth clenching, abnormal eye movements, loss of bladder or bowel control, noise-making, loss of consciousness, and confusion. |
| Treatment | Medication is usually effective in controlling the frequency and severity of seizures. In some cases, surgery or a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) may be recommended. |
| Age Group | Seizures can occur at any age, but myoclonic seizures commonly occur in childhood or early adulthood. |
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Myoclonic seizures
If you think that 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. Epilepsy centres provide teams of specialists that can help diagnose epilepsy and explore treatment options.
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Focal seizures
A muscle seizure is characterised by brief, sudden jerks or spasms of the muscles. Myoclonic seizures, for example, are sudden, brief jerks of the muscles that can cause someone to drop an object or, less commonly, fall.
Now, focal seizures are a type of seizure that affects only one side of the brain and body. They are the most common type of seizures with epilepsy and are often seen in conditions like strokes, head injuries, and more. Focal seizures can be simple or complex. Simple focal seizures, also known as auras, occur in one area on one side of the brain but may spread from there. The person does not lose consciousness during a simple focal seizure. They may, however, experience sensory symptoms like hearing problems, hallucinations, and olfactory or other distortions. They may also experience autonomic symptoms, such as changes in blood pressure, heart rhythm, or bowel or bladder function. Psychic symptoms can also occur, where the seizure strikes parts of the brain that trigger emotions or memories of previous experiences, causing feelings of fear, anxiety, or déjà vu.
Complex focal seizures, on the other hand, can cause a loss of awareness. They may or may not cause abnormal movements. A person experiencing a complex focal seizure may stare blankly into space or experience automatisms, which are non-purposeful, repetitive movements such as lip-smacking, blinking, grunting, gulping, or shouting.
The symptoms of focal seizures depend on where in the brain they occur. They are usually treated with medication, but other treatments like diet therapy, nerve stimulation, or surgery may be recommended depending on the seizure's characteristics.
It is important to control focal seizures because, over time, they can lead to memory problems or issues with thinking ability. They can also increase the risk of some mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
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Motor seizures
Focal onset aware seizures, also known as simple partial seizures, do not cause a loss of awareness. Individuals may be able to talk and remember what happened during these seizures. On the other hand, focal impaired awareness seizures, previously called complex partial seizures, cause a loss of awareness and may or may not involve abnormal movements.
Diagnosis of motor seizures is typically achieved through an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record electrical activity in the brain, along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans to identify potential structural abnormalities. Treatment options include anti-seizure medications, surgery, and devices such as a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS).
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Atonic seizures
A seizure is caused by a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, akinetic seizures, astatic seizures, or drop attacks, are characterised by a partial or complete loss of muscle tone. The word "atonic" means "without tone", so during an atonic seizure, a person's muscles suddenly become limp.
To diagnose atonic seizures, an electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used to record and study the electrical activity in the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans may also be used to study the condition and rule out other possible causes, such as a stroke. There is no general treatment for seizure disorders, and treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient based on their diagnosis and symptoms. Treatment options may include medical therapy, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or surgery.
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Epilepsy and seizures
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that affects people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnic backgrounds. It involves sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain, which can cause muscle spasms or jerks, and changes in awareness. Epilepsy is often associated with seizures but not every seizure means epilepsy.
Epilepsy is sometimes referred to as "the epilepsies" due to the diversity of types and causes. It can be caused by genetic factors, developmental brain abnormalities, infections, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, brain tumours, or other identifiable problems. Some people may have convulsions and lose consciousness, while others may simply stop what they're doing, stare into space, or experience brief lapses of awareness. The frequency of seizures also varies from person to person, with some people having infrequent seizures and others experiencing hundreds daily.
Myoclonic seizures are a type of seizure associated with epilepsy. They are characterised by brief, sudden jerking of muscles and can be well-controlled with medication. They usually occur soon after waking up and often begin around puberty or early adulthood. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is an uncommon syndrome that includes myoclonic seizures, which typically involve the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and sometimes the face. These seizures can be strong and difficult to control.
Focal onset aware seizures, previously known as "simple partial seizures", do not cause a loss of awareness. A person may be able to talk and remember what happened during these seizures. Focal impaired awareness seizures, on the other hand, cause a loss of awareness and may or may not involve abnormal movements. They were previously called "complex partial seizures".
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are not caused by abnormal brain electrical activity but can resemble epilepsy seizures. They may involve involuntary changes in behaviour, movement, sensation, or consciousness and are believed to be the body's response to physical or emotional distress. PNES does not respond to anti-seizure medications but can be treated with cognitive-behavioural therapy and other behavioural modification therapies.
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Frequently asked questions
A seizure is a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which causes changes in awareness and muscle control. Myoclonic seizures are a type of seizure that causes brief, sudden, sharp, uncontrollable muscle jerks or twitches.
Symptoms of a muscle seizure include muscle jerks, spasms, or twitches, loss of bladder or bowel control, teeth clenching, abnormal eye movements, and noise-making. Myoclonic seizures can cause a quick jerk or twitch that affects one muscle or a group of connected muscles.
Treatment options for muscle seizures include medication and, in some cases, surgery. Medications are usually effective at controlling the frequency and severity of seizures. In cases where medication is ineffective, surgery may be an option, such as the implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS).
