6. what does tonic, clonic, atonic, and myotonic mean? course hero neuro

by Anthony Hirthe 3 min read

What is the difference between myoclonic and tonic clonic seizures?

Feb 04, 2010 · Never put anything into your child's mouth during a seizure. Only give water, food or medication when your child is fully alert afterwards. Tonic seizures involve sudden stiffening and contraction of the muscles. Clonic seizures involve rhythmic twitching or jerking of one or several muscles. Tonic-clonic seizures are a combination of these two ...

What happens during a tonic-clonic seizure?

Tonic-clonic seizures involve both tonic (stiffening) and clonic (twitching or jerking) phases of muscle activity. Tonic-clonic seizures may start with a simple partial seizure or aura. The person may experience changes in sensation, mood or emotion leading up to the tonic-clonic seizure. Do not put anything in their mouth.

What is the first aid for a tonic or clonic seizure?

Apr 14, 2011 · Clonic tics are sudden jerks of a muscle or limb. Tonic tics are tensing of muscles. Dystonic tics are relatively slow and last a little while. They can include twisting, pulling, or squeezing movements and often result in briefly maintained abnormal postures. While researching this I also learnt that Samuel Johnson, who wrote ‘A Dictionary ...

What happens to your body when you have a strong tonic?

Tonic-clonic seizures can start in one or both sides of the brain. When they start in both sides of the brain, they are called generalized onset motor seizures or a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Both terms mean the same thing. When they start in one side of the brain and spread to affect both sides, the term focal to bilateral tonic-clonic ...

What is tonic and atonic?

About the Gin Sonic

The Gin and Sonic is a simple riff on the classic G&T, in which you complement the gin with equal measures of soda and tonic (soda + tonic = "sonic"). The drink is a healthier version of the G&T, which can be too sweet for many people's taste preferences.

What is tonic-clonic?

Tonic-clonic seizures involve both tonic (stiffening) and clonic (twitching or jerking) phases of muscle activity. Tonic-clonic seizures may start with a simple partial seizure or aura. The person may experience changes in sensation, mood or emotion leading up to the tonic-clonic seizure.

What is the difference between tonic and atonic seizures?

Seizures may last as long as a few minutes. These words are used to describe generalized seizures: Tonic: Muscles in the body become stiff. Atonic: Muscles in the body relax.

Why is it called a tonic-clonic seizure?

What are the symptoms of a tonic-clonic seizure? Tonic-clonic seizures get their name from their two distinct stages: tonic and clonic. Each stage causes different symptoms. Before tonic and clonic activity begins, some people experience what's known as an aura.

What can you do for tonic-clonic seizures?

What to Do During the Seizure
  1. STAY with the person. Stay calm. ...
  2. Keep the person SAFE. ...
  3. Turn the person onto one SIDE with the head and mouth angled toward the ground. ...
  4. Do not try to take out contact lenses. ...
  5. Do not hold the person down. ...
  6. Do not put any object in the person's mouth.
Jan 3, 2020

What are atonic seizures?

Atonic seizures are a type of seizure that causes sudden loss of muscle strength. These seizures are also called akinetic seizures, drop attacks or drop seizures. The sudden lack of muscle strength, or tone, can cause the person to fall to the ground.

Are tonic-clonic seizures epilepsy?

Tonic-clonic seizures are the type of epileptic seizure most people recognise. In the past they were called grand-mal seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures can have a generalised onset, meaning they affect both sides of the brain from the start.

Is tonic-clonic seizure a generalized seizure?

Tonic-clonic seizures can start in one or both sides of the brain. When they start in both sides of the brain, they are called generalized onset motor seizures or a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Both terms mean the same thing.

What are the symptoms of tonic-clonic seizure?

Tonic-clonic seizures
  • tonic stage – you lose consciousness, your body goes stiff, and you may fall to the floor.
  • clonic stage – your limbs jerk about, you may lose control of your bladder or bowel, you may bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek, and you might have difficulty breathing.

What is the clonic phase of a seizure?

Clonic seizures consist of repeated jerking movements of the arms and legs, sometimes on both sides of the body. If the clonic seizure has a focal onset (starts in one part of the brain), the person may be aware during it.

What happens during a tonic seizure?

In a tonic seizure, the tone is greatly increased: the body, arms, or legs become suddenly stiff or tense. A person may be aware or have only a small change in awareness during a tonic seizure. They usually happen during sleep and usually involve all or most of the brain, affecting both sides of the body.

What is the difference between a tonic-clonic seizure and an absence seizure?

Motor symptoms may include sustained rhythmical jerking movements (clonic), muscles becoming weak or limp (atonic), muscles becoming tense or rigid (tonic), brief muscle twitching (myoclonus), or epileptic spasms (body flexes and extends repeatedly). Non-motor symptoms are usually called absence seizures.

What is a tonic clonic seizure?

A tonic-clonic seizure is the modern term for a grand mal seizure. If someone near you has a seizure: Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. Do not restrain them. Make sure the area around the person is clear of objects that could injure them. Treatment for tonic and clonic seizures may consist of medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, ...

Where do tonic seizures start?

Tonic and clonic seizures can start on one side of the brain (partial or focal seizures), or on both sides of the brain simultaneously (generalized).

What are the different types of seizures?

What You Need to Know 1 Tonic and clonic seizures can start on one side of the brain (partial or focal seizures), or on both sides of the brain simultaneously (generalized). 2 Tonic and clonic seizure activity can happen in the same seizure. A tonic-clonic seizure is the modern term for a grand mal seizure. 3 If someone near you has a seizure:#N#Do not put anything in the person’s mouth.#N#Do not restrain them.#N#Make sure the area around the person is clear of objects that could injure them.

What is the best test to diagnose clonic seizures?

To diagnose tonic and clonic seizures, the physician is likely to use imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) to look for scarred areas in the brain, as well as electroencephalography (EEG) to help differentiate the seizures from other problems.

How to treat clonic seizures?

Treatment for tonic and clonic seizures may consist of medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, surgery or a combination of these approaches.

What is the first aid for a tonic seizure?

First aid for a person having a tonic or clonic seizure involves protecting the person from injury, such as moving furniture or other items out of the way. It is important not to attempt to restrain the person or put anything in their mouth — “swallowing the tongue” is impossible.

How long does a seizure last?

The stiffness lasts about 20 seconds and is most likely to happen during sleep. Tonic seizures that occur while the person is standing may cause them to fall. After the seizure, the person may feel tired or confused.

What is a tonic clonic?

Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) Seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures, formerly known as grand mal seizures, comprise two stages: a tonic phase and a clonic phase. These intense seizures can be frightening to experience or observe, as extreme muscle spasms may temporarily arrest breathing.

How to treat tonic clonic seizures?

Treatment for tonic-clonic seizures can involve medication, surgery, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy or a combination of these approaches.

How long does it take for a tonic clonic to resolve?

Witnessing a person having a tonic-clonic seizure can be upsetting, but it’s important to remember that most seizures resolve on their own after one to three minutes. To offer assistance:

What is the name of the sensation that a person experiences when they have a seizure?

Aura. The seizure may start with a simple or complex partial seizure known as an aura. The person may experience abnormal sensations such as a particular smell, vertigo, nausea, or anxiety. If the person is familiar with having seizures, they may recognize the warning signs of a seizure about to begin.

What is the best treatment for epilepsy?

A range of therapies, including anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy and surgical procedures can address the seizures and, in many cases, bring them under control.

What to do after a seizure?

After a person’s first seizure, it is important to consult with a physician. Parents or family members who observe the seizure can note the details and help create a written report that the person can take to the doctor. A video recording of the event (if available) can also aid in diagnosis.

Can a person remember having a seizure?

Gradually the person regains awareness and may feel confused, exhausted, physically sore, sad or embarrassed for a few hours. The person may not remember having a seizure, and may have other memory loss. Occasionally, people may have abnormal or combative behavior after a tonic-clonic seizure while the brain is recovering.

What is a clenical tic?

Clonic tics are sudden jerks of a muscle or limb.

Did Samuel Johnson have Tourettes?

While researching this I also learnt that Samuel Johnson, who wrote ‘A Dictionary of the English Language’, was posthumously diagnosed with Tourettes. I’m normally sceptical about posthumous diagnoses but it seems to be widely accepted that he probably did have it.

What is a tonic clonic seizure?

A tonic-clonic seizure, formerly called a grand mal seizure, is the "classic" type of seizure most people are familiar with. It involves loss of consciousness or awareness, plus uncontrolled jerking and stiffness of the arms, legs, or body.

How long does a tonic clonic seizure last?

It generally lasts just a few seconds to a couple of minutes. 1 .

Why do people have seizures?

Most people who are prone to recurrent tonic-clonic seizures can experience a seizure due to a fever, infection, sleepiness, or no known trigger at all. Anti-seizure medications, which are also referred to as anticonvulsants, are often recommended to prevent or reduce recurrent seizures.

What is the best medication for epileptic status?

Medications used to treat status epilepticus include intravenous forms of lorazepam, diazepam, and midazolam. 3 

Why do people develop epilepsy?

Epilepsy: This is the most common cause. You can be born with it or develop it later in life due to brain damage. Brain injury: Head trauma, brain injury, strokes, aneurysms, brain tumors, and brain infections may cause long-term epilepsy.

What happens when the brain is injured?

When the brain is injured, the electrical activity that normally controls brain function may become disturbed or erratic. One or more part of the brain may then 'misfire,' causing unwanted physical actions that often manifest as a tonic-clonic seizure.

Is a tonic clonic seizure a primary or secondary seizure?

Due to impaired consciousness, you may not be aware that you're having such a seizure. A tonic-clonic seizure can be classified as either a primary or secondary generalized seizure. 2 . Secondary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure. Starts in one part of the brain, but spreads to both sides.