Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Description
Between the ages of 12 and 18, typically, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy starts in childhood or adolescence and lasts into adulthood. Myoclonic seizures, which induce quick, uncontrolled muscular jerks, are the most prevalent seizure type in persons with this illness. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or grand mal seizures, which result in convulsions, loss of consciousness, and muscle rigidity, can also occur in people with this illness.
Affected people occasionally experience absence seizures, which lead to a brief loss of consciousness that appears as a staring spell.
Symptoms
After a nap or within 30 to 60 minutes of waking up in the morning, seizures frequently occur. People with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy have three distinct types of seizures :
- Absence seizures : these types of seizures a child with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy will typically experience first are absence seizures. During these instances, they could appear to be daydreaming or nodding off for around 10 seconds. Thus, they may potentially go unnoticed by you.
- Myoclonic seizures : Around age 14 or 15, myoclonic seizures—the jerking motions in one or both arms and legs—typically begin one to nine years later. Some children merely have erratically moving fingers. They might drop items as a result and appear awkward.
- Tonic-clonic seizures : occurs after several months. All of the child's muscles will stiffen and jerk rhythmically during these seizures. They can faint and drop to the ground. Typically, they last 1-3 minutes.
If you have any of these symptoms visit a Neurologist to be diagnosed and treated properly.
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View MoreCauses
The most common cause is family history. However, there are some other triggers that might induce myoclonic seizures such as :
- Excessive stress and lack of sleep
- Alcohol use
- Fatigue is the main cause of tonic-clonic seizures and myoclonic jerks
- Flickering lights while watching television, playing video games, or while outside in the sunlight reflecting off of snow, waves, or trees.
- During the period.
Diagnostics
The tests listed below can help in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy diagnosis and evaluationv :
- Electroencephalography (EEG) to look for unique brain wave patterns.
- Brain scans such as MRI
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment
Changes in lifestyle to avoid seizure triggers are the first things your Neurologist will advise as a treatment for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Getting enough sleep, abstaining from alcohol, and learning stress management techniques are all necessary.
- Anti-seizures medication
- Valproic acid (most effective in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy)
- Levetiracetam
- Lamotrigine
- Clonazepam
- Topiramate
Although they may be able to take less medication over time, most people with JME will need to take anti-seizure drugs for the rest of their lives.
