Common "Jerk" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Jerk

A jerk, also known as twitching, is a rapid, abrupt, and sudden movement. They can happen as a result of hiccups during sleep or from a pathology induced by a head injury, illness, poisoning, or a medication reaction.

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I keep doing random things like blinking my eyes, clicking my throat, or jerking my ankle over and over again. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I keep on doing some random things over and over again for about three to four years. For example, I keep blinking my eyes, clicking my throat, or jerking my ankle. I can choose not to do it (so it is not tic) but if I do not do it I get annoyed. Sometimes I just keep doing my current �...  Read Full »


Dr. Vandana Andrews

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Based on your description, it sounds like you may be experiencing symptoms of a condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors o...  Read Full »

Why am I feeling frequent jerks in the body?

Query: Hello doctor, I recently met a neurologist as I was experiencing jerks (for at least 5-6 times) during sleep and also during day time when I used to feel as if I have received a current shock. With family history of epilepsy, he wanted me to take electroencephalogram (EEG) and an magnetic resonance ...  Read Full »


Dr. Nene Devavrat Harihar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you are getting frequent headaches and vomitings please consult a neurologist/neurosurgeon at the earliest. Watch for visual symptoms like blurring or double vision. We might be dealing with two different problems here like epilepsy and an incidental finding of develo...  Read Full »

Why do I get sudden jerks when I am about to sleep?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 31-year-old male. My problem is that when I am about to go to sleep, I experience a sudden jerk. I asked my wife about this. I do not jerk while sleeping or in the middle of sleep. It happens just when I am about to fall asleep. Suddenly, a quick jerk occurs. It happens a couple...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, you are suffering from hypnic jerks only. This is not a disease. It is a behavioral issue. I have successfully treated my patients with a hypnic jerk by asking them to follow certain measures like reducing caffeine intake, particularly in the evening. You must stop ...  Read Full »

Is Surgery The Only Option For Knee Buckling?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 36-year-old male. I have been having a knee-buckling problem for some time. The problem started in the right knee about four years back and since then I have stopped sports. However, at times during some movement or jerk, I get this buckling problem and pain for two to three da...  Read Full »


Dr. Sumit Chawla

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your history and the reports attached here (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is a cruciate ligament injury along with meniscal injury and you also have symptoms related to it. So, surgery is indicated in your case. It will not...  Read Full »

Is it normal for a 7-month-old baby to have jerks?

Query: Hi doctor, My 7 months old baby boy is dropping down his head occasionally. Sometimes, he has some mild jerks. Jerks were at the time after his feeding or after he wakes up. That time, he just swallows or lick his lips with tongue. Otherwise, his activities are very normal. He can hear us, identify ...  Read Full »


Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your question with care and understand that you are concerned about few jerks your kid has. First and foremost, I would like to appreciate and congratulate you for giving detailed descriptions. Regarding the jerks, they are quite normal for his age. You need ...  Read Full »

How to know if my on and off fasciculations and muscle twitching are signs of multiple sclerosis?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 27-year-old female. I do not drink or smoke, and I am not overweight. I am having on and off fasciculations all over my body for the past year. Also, I started noticing little jerks and twitches of leg, arm, and lips. I am COVID positive now, and all my nerve issues are more ...  Read Full »


Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern, and I would explain that your symptoms are not suggestive of MS (multiple sclerosis), but they may indicate benign fasciculation syndrome. I would recommend performing the following tests: 1) Complete b...  Read Full »

How to prevent episodes of partial seizures?

Query: Hi doctor,I have a partial seizure. Suddenly, I scream at night while sleeping. I have a funny smell, shortness of breath, jerking of hands and legs. I have these symptoms for 12 years after the death of my father. Currently, I am taking Tegrital CR 400 mg in the morning and 600 mg in the night. I a...  Read Full »


Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are taking one of the best medications for partial seizures. You need to continue taking it. You should follow these guidelines to prevent getting seizures. You should not miss the dosage of your medication. You should take enough sleep and do not keep waking up...  Read Full »

Why do I get tics like head hitting, neck jerks, and twitching?

Query: Hello doctor, I have tics such as head hitting, neck and back jerking, and twitching, among others. I sometimes get verbal tics, too, where I make noises or shout. I am 17, and they are starting to get harder to suppress, and I am not diagnosed with anything. I talked to my doctor, and he just gave...  Read Full »


Dr. Faisal Abdul Karim Malim

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would not ignore these symptoms right away. Instead, I would suggest to get an MRI brain along with an EEG (electroencephalography) to check for any brain issues which may or may not be causing the tics. If everything is normal, I would suggest to involve yours...  Read Full »

Is it normal to have too many tics developed in a short time as a teenager?

Query: Hi doctor, My 13-year-old daughter developed a tic for about a month. And it started with a shoulder shrug (one side, left shoulder) and has progressed to several upper body tics. About six tics (head jerking, shoulder shrug, arm jerk or extending, hand hitting thigh, hand hitting chest, and hand f...  Read Full »


Dr. Gursimran Singh

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand the situation, and I am sorry for her to face this situation. Yes, the prime age of a child developing tic disorder is 11 to 13 years. Usually, tic disorder has comorbid conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity d...  Read Full »

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