NOCTURNAL MYOCLONUS Meaning and
Definition
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Nocturnal myoclonus, also known as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), is a neurological condition characterized by repetitive involuntary muscle contractions or jerks during sleep. These muscle movements typically occur in the lower limbs, such as the legs, and may disturb the natural sleep pattern of affected individuals.
During episodes of nocturnal myoclonus, muscles may contract or twitch rapidly, leading to movements that can be mild or intense. Although these contractions typically occur in the lower extremities, they can also affect the arms or other muscle groups to some extent.
Nocturnal myoclonus is often accompanied by brief awakenings or arousals from sleep, which can result in poor sleep quality and daytime drowsiness. These movements are usually uncontrolled and can frequently disrupt the sleep of both the person experiencing them and their sleep partner.
The exact cause of nocturnal myoclonus remains unclear, although it is believed to involve abnormalities in the regulation of muscle movement during sleep. Certain individuals may be more predisposed to developing this condition, such as those with certain neurological disorders or family history. It can also be associated with other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome.
Treatment for nocturnal myoclonus typically involves managing the symptoms rather than curing the condition. Medications that suppress muscle movements, such as dopamine agonists or benzodiazepines, are commonly prescribed to reduce the frequency and intensity of the muscle contractions. Additionally, promoting good sleep hygiene practices and addressing any underlying conditions may help improve sleep quality for individuals with nocturnal myoclonus.
Common Misspellings for NOCTURNAL MYOCLONUS
- bocturnal myoclonus
- mocturnal myoclonus
- jocturnal myoclonus
- hocturnal myoclonus
- nicturnal myoclonus
- nkcturnal myoclonus
- nlcturnal myoclonus
- npcturnal myoclonus
- n0cturnal myoclonus
- n9cturnal myoclonus
- noxturnal myoclonus
- novturnal myoclonus
- nofturnal myoclonus
- nodturnal myoclonus
- nocrurnal myoclonus
- nocfurnal myoclonus
- nocgurnal myoclonus
- nocyurnal myoclonus
- noc6urnal myoclonus
- noc5urnal myoclonus
Etymology of NOCTURNAL MYOCLONUS
The word nocturnal myoclonus has its roots in Latin and Greek.
The word nocturnal originates from the Latin word nocturnus, meaning pertaining to the night. It is derived from nox, which means night.
The term myoclonus is derived from the Greek words myo, meaning muscle, and klonos, meaning violent motion or twitching. It refers to the involuntary jerking or twitching of muscles.
Therefore, when combined, nocturnal myoclonus describes the condition where involuntary muscle jerks or twitches occur during the night or while asleep. This term is commonly used to refer to a sleep disorder known as sleep-related movement disorder or periodic limb movement disorder.
