Juvenile myoclinic epilepsy is a form of idiopathic epilepsy or recurrent seizures of unknown origin, whose symptoms generally occur by the age of approximately 12 to 16 years. The condition is characterized by sudden, involuntary, "shock-like" muscle jerks (myoclonus) that primarily occur during the morning, with stress, fatigue, or alcohol consumption. Patients may later develop generalized tonic-clonic seizures associated with loss of consciousness and rhythmic contraction and relaxation of all muscle groups. It usually affects girls more than boys.

Symptoms:
The following features characterize juvenile epilepsy:

1. Tonic Clonic seizures:
they usually happen in the morning within one or two hours of waking up. This type of seizure is more likely to happen if the person has been to bed late the night before, or has woken up earlier than usual.

2. Myoclonic seizures:
These cause the person to have sudden jerks of the muscles, either in the arms, legs, face or in the whole body. These seizures usually happen soon after waking up and may be seen when getting dressed or having breakfast. They may also occur in the evenings if the person is tired.

3. Absence seizures:
these episodes can happen at any time of the day, but they most frequently occur in the morning.

4. Photosensitive epilepsy is also common in people with juvenile myoclinic epilepsy.

Diagnosis:

A full and accurate history is very important in diagnosing this juvenile myoclinic epilepsy.

Classic Absence Epilepsy: Also known as petit mal epilepsy, these seizures typically last less than 20 seconds, and usually involve a stare and movements of the mouth and hands. These seizures most often begin in childhood and are outgrown 75% of the time.

Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: A type of grand mal seizure, it involves the whole brain. Loss of consciousness, shaking, falling and jerking occur.

Myoclonus: A sudden jerk in the process of falling asleep, this may be perfectly normal.

Treatment:

Many people with juvenile myoclinic epilepsy respond well to drugs, particularly sodium valproate (Epilim). Sometimes lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be taken.

Most people need to take anti-epileptic drugs for the rest of their life, as it is common for seizures to return if the medication is withdrawn.

As seizures are more likely to happen if a person does not get enough sleep or drinks alcohol, it is advisable for people with this syndrome to maintain regular sleeping habits and think carefully about the amount of alcohol they consume.



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