Perhaps there is no person who would not be aware of involuntary muscle contractions that appear unexpectedly, like an attack, and most often do not last long. But there are people for whom this phenomenon has become regular, lasts a long time and causes a lot of problems, affecting both their performance and even their personal lives. What causes convulsions, how they are classified and what means will help fight them, we will tell later in the article.
How are seizures classified?
Depending on the nature of involuntary muscle contractions, they are divided into clonic, tonic and clonic-tonic. Tonic - these are contractions that force the limb to freeze in the position of flexion or extension. And clonic convulsions are characterized by a rapid change in muscle contraction and relaxation, leading to stereotypical movements (twitches) that have different amplitudes. Accordingly, clonic-tonic -phase changes of clonic and tonic contractions.
Depending on the prevalence of convulsive manifestations, they are divided:
1) into localized (one muscle or a group of them) - arising from focal irritation of the motor areas of the cerebral cortex that innervate any limb, face, etc.;
2) generalized (whole body spasms) - they capture all the muscles at once, as a rule, are accompanied by a blackout and can be the final stage of any type of convulsive activity.
Depending on the etiology of seizures, muscle contractions may vary in form, course and frequency. The features of the state after the attack and the data of laboratory tests also turn out to be different.
Causes of seizures
From what convulsions occur, it is not so easy to establish in some cases, because the cause of their occurrence may be poisoning, disorders of the nervous system, metabolism, activity of the cardiovascular system, brain or endocrine glands. And in some patients, involuntary muscle contractions are also caused or intensified by the action of external stimuli, for example, from an unexpected loud sound, a needle prick, a bright flashing light, etc. or when breathing deeply and being in a stuffy room.
Convulsions of the same form can occur with different diseases and turn out to be symptoms of serious pathologies. Therefore, if they occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Convulsions in a child: causes
In childrenthe described muscle contractions occur more frequently than in adults. This is due to the imperfection of the child's nervous system and the peculiarities of the structure of the brain: its cells are easily excited, while the processes of inhibition are still unstable and immature.
Asphyxia of a newborn, birth trauma, diabetes in a nursing mother, encephalopathy, and infectious diseases of the nervous system can provoke convulsive syndrome in children.
But the causes that caused convulsions in a child do not necessarily turn out to be pathologies of the nervous system or brain. This may be a lack of calcium in the body or muscle problems. Often in children, these attacks are caused by high fever, a reaction to a vaccine (most often it is DPT) or emotional and mental disorders.
Features of seizure activity in epilepsy
But the main disease, which is remembered in the first place, speaking of convulsive syndrome, is epilepsy. The cause of any form of seizures in this disease is abnormal, very high activity of electrical impulses between the neurons of the brain.
Most often, epilepsy is accompanied by generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. The patient usually anticipates their onset with the help of the so-called aura - a state before an attack. It is characterized by a heightened perception of sounds, smells, a feeling of fear, anxiety, an unusual taste in the mouth.
After that, as a rule, the patient loses consciousness, sometimes having time to publisha fairly loud scream or howl-like sound. After that, a strong tonic tension appears in all his muscles, the jaws are compressed, breathing becomes very difficult, his face turns blue and convulsive twitches begin. This causes foam to form on the patient's lips and involuntary urination may occur.
After a while, breathing is restored, the face takes on a normal color, convulsive tremors become more and more rare and gradually disappear. Such an attack lasts no more than 3 minutes. After the cessation of convulsions, a twilight state of consciousness is possible. After that, as a rule, comes sleep. Waking up, the patient does not remember anything.
Convulsions resulting from metabolic disorders
But other conditions can also provoke tonic convulsions, in which a toxic effect is exerted on the functioning of the brain. For example, an increase in temperature, a decrease in the amount of calcium ions in the blood, a drop in sugar levels in it, insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
Fever cramps are caused by loss of fluid and electrolytes (in the form of sodium chloride) due to excessive sweating and insufficient drinking. And the amount of calcium in the blood can decrease as a result of the removal of the parathyroid gland, and it manifests itself in cramps in the muscles of the legs (calves) or arms. By the way, its level is also reduced due to malabsorption of this substance in the intestines caused by kidney disease.
A common cause of seizures isintoxication due to poisoning with caffeine, oxalic acid s alts, morphine, cocaine, fluorine, atropine, mushrooms.
What to do for leg cramps?
Of course, if you have regular tonic cramps, you should definitely consult a doctor for a full examination and finding out their causes. You can try to relieve short-term spasms on your own.
So, if this unpleasant phenomenon bothers your lower limbs, you need to:
- pull the toe of the straightened leg towards you;
- put your feet on the cold floor and walk barefoot;
- rub foot with warming ointment;
- do a self-massage of the foot - from the toes to the heel, or calves - from the heel up to the knee;
- if there are no contraindications, take Aspirin tablets (they will improve blood microcirculation in the vessels of the legs).
In this case, homemade ointment for cramps will also help. It is made from 2 tsp. mustard and 1 tsp. olive oil. This gruel is smeared on the suffering muscles, and relief comes almost immediately.
Arm cramps are a problem to fight against
Hand cramps can be attributed to professional he alth problems, as office workers who spend a lot of time at the computer, musicians, tailors, athletes, etc. often suffer from them. But doctors also name other reasons that can cause them:
- stress,
- impaired blood supply to the upper extremities as a result of osteochondrosis or problems with the cardiovascular system,
- hypercooling of the skin of the hands,
- food or alcohol poisoning,
- as well as an addiction to coffee.
Hand cramps tend to bother in one hand, so if they appear he althy, massage the spasmodic hand. Rub your fingers starting from the base, open and close your fist, rotate your hand vigorously, tighten and relax your fingers.
Those who have muscle cramps appear periodically, doctors advise drinking chamomile or linden tea, which can relax them, or for 2 weeks, rub lemon juice on the cramp-prone areas twice a day. If the problem began to occur too often, you should contact a specialist to find out the true causes of the problem and select medicines.
What are the dangers of muscle spasms?
As can be seen from all of the above, both clonic and tonic seizures can be associated with serious problems in the functioning of the brain or endocrine disorders. In addition, during these spasms, a huge oxygen deficiency is formed in the brain, which, of course, cannot but affect metabolic processes. In children, the intellect suffers from this, personal changes occur, and a lag in physical development is detected. This condition is no less dangerous for adults.
In severe cases, convulsions can cause respiratory arrest and even death. Therefore, they should not be left unattended or try to get rid of on their own, this condition requires accuratediagnosis and adequate treatment.
Muscle cramps: treatment
Treatment of seizures involves dealing with the underlying cause that caused them. So, with their neurogenic nature, drugs are used that eliminate autonomic dysfunction - sedative, tranquilizing and vegetotropic action (Mezapam, Bellataminal, Sibazon, etc.). In the hysterical form of a seizure, psychotherapy sessions are performed and means are used to eliminate anxiety (Frenolone, Phenazepam, etc.) or a state of depression (Aminotriptyline, Azafen, etc.).
In case of epilepsy, the patient is prescribed for the constant intake of pills for seizures, which increase the content of inhibitory mediators: Finlepsin, Carbamazepine, Benzonal, etc., as well as dehydration drugs (Furasemide).
Local convulsions are also treated by addressing the underlying problems - eliminating areas of muscle hypertonicity with novocaine blockades and physiotherapy.
A few last tips
Recurrent tonic spasms – this is a symptom that requires a mandatory visit to a doctor, and which one, try to determine for yourself.
- If you have a history of atherosclerosis, osteochondrosis and similar diseases, consult a neurologist.
- If you have vascular diseases of the legs (varicose veins, venous insufficiency), then a vascular surgeon or phlebologist should help you.
- Donate blood for electrolytes and sugar, this will help eliminate the presence of metabolic causesfor muscle spasms.
- And in the absence of obvious reasons, contact an endocrinologist or neurologist for an examination.
