Myoclonus is the involuntary jerking or twitching of a muscle, which can be normal or a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It can appear in any muscle and may be associated with nervous system disorders, kidney, liver, and heart problems. A neurologist may recommend tests to determine the underlying cause and may prescribe medication to manage the problem.
Myoclonus is a term used to describe the jerking or twitching of a muscle. Healthy people experience myoclonus on a regular basis, and it can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition that requires medical attention. This involuntary muscle movement can take a wide variety of forms, appearing in any muscle in the body at any time, depending on the underlying cause of the myoclonus.
Some examples of normal myoclonus include hypnic spurts, which often occur when people fall asleep, and hiccups. This type of myoclonus is not a cause for concern, although it can be surprising or irritating. People may also experience random muscle twitching and spasms that aren’t associated with a medical problem. An athlete, for example, might twitch after a heavy workout, and sometimes the nervous system experiences a random glitch that causes it to twitch for no apparent reason.
In people with nervous system disorders, myoclonus can sometimes be a telltale symptom. Conditions such as head trauma, brain damage, and progressive neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy can have myoclonic jerks among their symptoms, as can a number of other neurological problems. Muscle twitching is also associated with kidney, liver and heart problems. Abnormal myoclonus tends to appear more frequently, with greater intensity, or at unusual times and may involve a series of muscle spasms rather than a single twitch or jerk.
When spasms or jerks develop suddenly or feel abnormal, patients should see a doctor to find out what’s going on. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between normal myoclonus in healthy people and muscle spasms that indicate an underlying condition that has not been diagnosed. Either way, it’s a good idea to see a neurologist. The neurologist may interview the patient to learn more about myoclonus and may recommend tests that can be used to determine the underlying cause, such as EEGs of the brain, along with imaging studies such as CT scans and MRIs.
If a neurologist can’t find a cause for a myoclonus but the twitching is irritating, they may have medications to recommend that could help the patient manage the problem. In patients with neurological or other disorders causing myoclonic spasms, addressing the underlying condition may resolve or reduce the spasms. Neurological conditions may not necessarily be treatable, but their symptoms can often be managed with medications, surgery, and other treatments to keep patients more comfortable.
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