Jerking
Jerking is a sudden, involuntary twitching or convulsive movement of the body or a body part. It is often associated with various neurological and sleep disorders, but can also occur in healthy individuals, particularly during sleep or when falling asleep.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Jerking movements can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Jerking movements are a common symptom of certain types of seizures.
- Myoclonus: This is a type of involuntary muscle movement that can cause jerking or twitching. It can occur in healthy people, such as when falling asleep (hypnic jerk), or can be a symptom of a neurological disorder.
- Sleep disorders: Certain sleep disorders, such as Restless legs syndrome and Periodic limb movement disorder, can cause jerking movements during sleep.
- Neurological disorders: Various neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Multiple sclerosis, can cause jerking movements.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of jerking movements typically involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, as well as various tests to determine the underlying cause. These may include:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test measures electrical activity in the brain and can help diagnose epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
- Polysomnography: This is a sleep study that can help diagnose sleep disorders that cause jerking movements.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This imaging test can help identify structural abnormalities in the brain that may be causing jerking movements.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for jerking movements depends on the underlying cause. It may include:
- Medication: Various medications can help control jerking movements, including antiepileptic drugs, benzodiazepines, and dopamine agonists.
- Physical therapy: This can help improve muscle control and reduce jerking movements in some cases.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of jerking movements.
See also[edit | edit source]
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