Myokymia
Myokymia
Myokymia (pronunciation: my-o-KY-me-a) is a medical term that refers to a condition characterized by involuntary, spontaneous, localized quivering of a few muscles, or bundles of muscles, but with no movement of the affected part.
Etymology
The term "Myokymia" is derived from the Greek words "myo" meaning muscle and "kymos" meaning wave. This is in reference to the wave-like contractions that occur in the affected muscles.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Myokymia is the involuntary twitching of muscles. These twitches are usually not painful but can be felt by the person experiencing them. They are often described as a feeling of "butterflies" or "worms" moving under the skin. The twitches can occur in any muscle in the body, but are most commonly found in the muscles of the face, especially the eyelids (Blepharospasm).
Causes
The exact cause of Myokymia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to overactivity or irritation of the nerves that stimulate the affected muscles. This can be due to a variety of factors, including stress, fatigue, excessive caffeine intake, and certain medications. In some cases, Myokymia can be a symptom of a more serious neurological condition, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Isaacs' Syndrome.
Treatment
Treatment for Myokymia primarily involves addressing the underlying cause, if known. This may involve reducing stress, cutting back on caffeine, or changing medications. If Myokymia is a symptom of a more serious condition, treatment will focus on managing that condition. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help control the muscle twitches.
Related Terms
- Fasciculation: A similar condition characterized by small, local, involuntary muscle contractions.
- Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
- Blepharospasm: Involuntary tight closure of the eyelids.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.
- Isaacs' Syndrome: A rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by continuous muscle fiber activity.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Myokymia
- Wikipedia's article - Myokymia
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski