Paroxysmal attack
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| - | # A [[random]] or [[sudden]] [[outburst]] (of activity). | + | '''Paroxysmal attacks''' are short, frequent and stereotyped [[symptom]]s that can be observed in various clinical conditions. They are usually associated with [[multiple sclerosis]], [[pertussis]], but they may also be observed in other [[disease|disorder]]s such as [[encephalitis]], head [[Physical trauma|trauma]], [[stroke]], [[asthma]], [[trigeminal neuralgia]], [[breath-holding spells]], [[epilepsy]], [[malaria]], [[tabes dorsalis]], and [[Behçet's disease]]. It has also been noted as a symptom of [[Gratification disorder]] in children. |
| - | #* «There, on the soft sand, a few feet away from our elders, we would sprawl all morning, in a petrified '''paroxysm''' of desire, and take advantage of every blessed quirk in space and time to touch each other [...] » - [[Vladimir Nabokov]], [[Lolita]], 1955 | + | |
| - | # A sudden recurrence of a [[disease]]. | + | Paroxysmal attacks in various disorders have been reported extensively and [[ephaptic coupling]] of [[demylinated|myelin]] [[nerves|nerve]] has been presumed as one of the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon. This is supported by the presence of these attacks in multiple sclerosis and tabes dorsalis, which both involve demyelination of spinal cord neurons. Exercise, tactile stimuli, hot water, anxiety and neck flexion may provoke paroxysmal attacks. Mostly reported paroxysmal attacks are painful tonic [[spasm]]s, [[dysarthria]] and [[ataxia]], [[numbness]] and [[hemiparesis]]. They are typically different from other [[wikt:transience|transient]] symptoms by their brevity (lasting no more than 2 minutes), frequency (from 1-2 times/day up to a few hundred times/day), stereotyped fashion and excellent response to drugs (usually [[carbamazepine]]). Withdrawal of symptoms without any residual [[neurological finding]] is another key feature in their recognition. |
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| + | The word '''paroxysm''' means sudden attack, outburst, [[fit]] and comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] παροξυσμός (''paroxusmos''), "irritation, exasperation". | ||
| + | ==Etymology== | ||
| + | From French ''paroxysme'', from Medieval Latin ''paroxysmus'', from Ancient Greek ''παροξυσμός'' (paroksusmós, “irritation, the severe fit of a disease”), from ''παροξύνειν'' (paroksúnein, “to sharpen, irritate”), from ''παρά'' (pará) + ''ὀξύνειν'' (oksúnein, “sharpen”), from ὀξύς (oksús, “sharp”). | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| - | *[[Paroxysmal attack]] | + | * [[Convulsion]] |
| + | *[[Relapse]] or [[remission (medicine)|remission]], where symptoms become worse or better | ||
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Paroxysmal attacks are short, frequent and stereotyped symptoms that can be observed in various clinical conditions. They are usually associated with multiple sclerosis, pertussis, but they may also be observed in other disorders such as encephalitis, head trauma, stroke, asthma, trigeminal neuralgia, breath-holding spells, epilepsy, malaria, tabes dorsalis, and Behçet's disease. It has also been noted as a symptom of Gratification disorder in children.
Paroxysmal attacks in various disorders have been reported extensively and ephaptic coupling of myelin nerve has been presumed as one of the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon. This is supported by the presence of these attacks in multiple sclerosis and tabes dorsalis, which both involve demyelination of spinal cord neurons. Exercise, tactile stimuli, hot water, anxiety and neck flexion may provoke paroxysmal attacks. Mostly reported paroxysmal attacks are painful tonic spasms, dysarthria and ataxia, numbness and hemiparesis. They are typically different from other transient symptoms by their brevity (lasting no more than 2 minutes), frequency (from 1-2 times/day up to a few hundred times/day), stereotyped fashion and excellent response to drugs (usually carbamazepine). Withdrawal of symptoms without any residual neurological finding is another key feature in their recognition.
The word paroxysm means sudden attack, outburst, fit and comes from the Greek παροξυσμός (paroxusmos), "irritation, exasperation".
Etymology
From French paroxysme, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Ancient Greek παροξυσμός (paroksusmós, “irritation, the severe fit of a disease”), from παροξύνειν (paroksúnein, “to sharpen, irritate”), from παρά (pará) + ὀξύνειν (oksúnein, “sharpen”), from ὀξύς (oksús, “sharp”).
See also
- Convulsion
- Relapse or remission, where symptoms become worse or better
