Myoclonic seizures are brief twitches or jerks of muscles or groups of muscles.

Symptoms

Myoclonic seizures can be described as 'jumps'. They are caused by rapid contracting and relaxation of the muscles. People without epilepsy can suffer small but similar jerks in the form of hiccups or brief twitches; these are perfectly normal. This article is about the medical condition. ... Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. ...

In someone with epilepsy, myoclonic seizures cause abnormal movements on both sides of the body at the same time. In reflex epilepsies, myoclonic seizures can be brought on by flashing lights or other environmental triggers. Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. ... This article is about the medical condition. ...

Types of myoclonic epilepsy

In juveline myoclonic epilepsy, seizures usually involve the neck, shoulders, and upper arms. These seizures typically occur shortly after waking up. They normally begin between puberty and early adulthood. These seizures can usually be controlled with medication, but it must be taken for life. Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. ...

Lennox-Gastaut is an uncommon syndrome that normally occurs alongside other types of seizures. It begins in early childhood, and usually involve the face, neck, shoulders, and upper arms. They tend to be strong and difficult to control. In medicine, the term syndrome is the association of several clinically recognizable features, signs, symptoms, phenomena or characteristics which often occur together, so that the presence of one feature alerts the physician to the presence of the others. ... This article is about the medical condition. ...

Progressive myoclonic epilepsy includes both myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures. Treatment is not normally successful for any extended period of time. This article is about the medical condition. ...

Diagnosis

A diagnosis can be made by the medical history EEG patterns. Electroencephalography is the neurophysiologic exploration of the electrical activity of the brain by the application of electrodes to the scalp. ...

External links

Epilepsy.com (http://www.epilepsy.com)