However, some researchers have reported that children with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy may have an immature personality, poor social adjustment or difficulty with tests that need mental flexibility and abstract reasoning. Children with this syndrome may also fail to follow their course of treatment properly. Because children and their parents may not realize that myoclonic jerks in the morning are abnormal and may not tell their doctor about them, it is not certain how many children have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Doctors are becoming more aware of this syndrome. It is estimated that about 10 per cent of cases of epilepsy, and perhaps more, are juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. They will also ask if any family members have or had seizures. These conditions also cause progressive neurological deterioration with movement problems and dementia. By contrast, if a child has juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, their physical and neurological examinations are usually normal. The child will usually have a specific EEG pattern between seizures.
The doctor may want to obtain an EEG after the child has been sleep-deprived for some time to see any changes in the EEG while the child is sleeping or tired. If the diagnosis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is clear, the doctor will not usually need to obtain an MRI or CT scan.
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is treated with anti-epileptic drugs. For some children or adolescents, lifestyle changes may help to control seizures as well. The anti-epileptic drug valproate is an effective treatment in almost 90 per cent of people with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. If it is not effective or if it causes side effects, lamotrigine may be tried.
Newer anti-epileptic drugs may also be useful. Because factors such as tiredness, irregular sleep patterns, alcohol, and missing doses of medication can all trigger seizures, it is important for teens with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy to adopt regular lifestyle habits and follow their course of treatment carefully.
Teens should sleep for eight to 10 hours per night and avoid staying up late or waking up early. They should avoid alcohol and large amounts of caffeine, found in coffee, tea, and cola drinks. If the child or teen is expecting a change in their sleep cycle, for instance if they are flying to a different time zone, they should talk with their doctor about techniques to prevent sleep deprivation.
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy often starts at an age when the child or teen is starting to stay up late to study, go to parties or drink alcohol. They may feel that the syndrome and the lifestyle changes that are needed can interfere with their social life.
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is sometimes linked with lack of compliance with treatment. For all these reasons, some doctors recommend counselling to help children and teens manage the condition. It is rare for seizures in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy to go away. Anti-epileptic drugs control seizures for most people with this syndrome, but the relapse rate if the medication is stopped is up to 90 per cent.
Materials provided by Wiley-Blackwell. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Story Source: Materials provided by Wiley-Blackwell. Epilepsia , June 6, DOI: ScienceDaily, 6 June Retrieved November 11, from www. This is shown in a systematic review and meta-analysis in which researchers Individuals are encouraged to get enough sleep and avoid alcohol to reduce the likelihood of seizures.
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