Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Myoclonus is a brief, involuntary, irregular (lacking rhythm) twitching of a muscle, a joint, or a group of muscles, different from clonus, which is rhythmic or regular. Myoclonus (myo-"muscle", clonus "spasm") describes a medical sign and, generally, is not a diagnosis of a disease.
Myoclonus is usually classified physiologically to optimize treatment. Myoclonus is a precursor effect to myoclonus dystonia and most commonly begins in childhood or adolescence. [4] [5] Myoclonus is classified as cortical, subcortical, peripheral or spinal. Cortical myoclonus is the most common of these four and affects the upper limbs and face.
A hypnic jerk, hypnagogic jerk, sleep start, sleep twitch, myoclonic jerk, or night start is a brief and sudden involuntary contraction of the muscles of the body which occurs when a person is beginning to fall asleep, often causing the person to jump and awaken suddenly for a moment.
Progressive myoclonus epilepsy is a disease associated with myoclonus, epileptic seizures, and other problems with walking or speaking. These symptoms often worsen over time and can be fatal. [6] MERRF syndrome is also known as myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers. This rare inherited disorder affects muscles cells. [7]
MEAK is a form of progressive myoclonus epilepsy that typically begins between the ages of 3 and 15 years (the average of onset is 10 years). The first symptoms may include ataxia and myoclonus (unsteadiness and difficulty coordinating movements), along with generalized tonic-clonic ("grand mal") seizures.
An online survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic of 1,174 men 18 years or older, found that 72% of men would rather do household tasks, such as cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, than see ...
The signs and symptoms of this disorder appear at an early age, generally childhood or adolescence. The causes of MERRF syndrome are difficult to determine, but because it is a mitochondrial disorder, it can be caused by the mutation of nuclear DNA or mitochondrial DNA . [ 3 ]
Dystonia is often intensified or exacerbated by physical activity, and symptoms may progress into adjacent muscles. [ 4 ] The disorder may be hereditary or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma , infection , poisoning (e.g., lead poisoning ) or reaction to pharmaceutical drugs , particularly neuroleptics , [ 3 ...