Myoclonus Causes

We all have hiccups from time to time. They are a natural response of the body. In case, you were not aware, hiccups are a form of myoclonus; defined as a condition of quick and involuntary muscle jerk. Conditions such as hiccups, do not present any threat to health, while there are some, which do. Treatment of this problem depends upon its cause. And if in case, there are none, then the treatment shifts its attention to reduce and improve the symptoms.

Myoclonus Symptoms

As described above, this condition is actually a kind of 'jump', 'jerk', 'shake 'or 'spasm'. For instance, it is a kind of jerk in case of hiccups. Now the symptoms are merely the nature and the way these responses take place. Some may be sudden, some may be brief, while some may be felt like an electric shock. These 'jerks' and 'jumps' may vary in intensity, and the number of occurrence. Some may be localized to a part of the body, while some may have a wider cover. Some myoclonus may be so intense that, they noticeably interfere with eating, speaking and even walking.

Causal Factors of Myoclonus

Determining the causes is an important part of the treatment. Often, experts keep a distinction between different types of myoclonus, according to the factors that have caused them. The first, and the harmless type, is known as physiological myoclonus. Popular examples include hiccups, and sleep starts. These are normal responses of the body, and a no cause for concern in healthy people.

Another type is known as myoclonus epilepsy. As the name suggests, it is associated with some epileptic disorder. Some forms of this condition remain idiopathic, meaning, without any specific cause. One such type is essential myoclonus, that occurs on its own, without any symptoms, and with no association with any underlying illness.

Leaving aside these few types, there is a form of the illness, which is common and has causes that are identifiable. These may include:

• Injury to the spinal cord or head
• Infection of the spine or head
• Tumor in the brain
• Failure of organs such as the kidney or liver
• Conditions such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease are also responsible
• Other possible causes may include side effects of certain medication, and drug or chemical poisoning

Other Types

Palatal myoclonus is a type which is associated with the soft palate of the throat. Speaking of its causes, a common one is the development of lesions on brain nerve pathways. Multiple sclerosis could also be a possible cause.

Hypnagogic myoclonus occurs just when someone is about to fall asleep. Experts say, extreme lack of sleep could be a major contributing factor.

Some people suffer from tensor tympani myoclonus. This is nothing but a condition of involuntary twitching of muscles of the tensor tympani, a muscle that is in the middle ear. Its main function is to help lessen certain sounds. Its causes can be a variety of disorders that affect the muscles of this structure. Stress and caffeine tend to worsen the symptoms. The same factors which cause this disease, may also cause middle ear myoclonus.

Myoclonus Treatment

In most cases, the underlying cause cannot be determined. So in such a scenario, doctors aim at easing the symptoms. Also, the treatment does not involve the use of any kind of specific drugs that can be used to treat it. So the treatment procedures of other conditions, are usually borrowed. If we speak of medications, then tranquilizers, and anticonvulsants are prescribed. For localized forms of myoclonus, botox injections seem to be helpful. And surgery may become an option if the cause is found to be some brain tumor or lesion.

For your information, it is known that the specific mechanisms that go behind the development of this condition, are still a subject of study, and not something that is fully understood by scientists.