Index
The paroxysm refers to the violent attack of a disease.
The paroxysm, also known as paroxysmal attacks, is a sudden recurrence or intensification of the symptoms of a specific condition or disease, such as a spasm or seizure. The outbreak is the most critical stage of illness.
It may be due to the sudden onset of symptoms or the acute exacerbation (the abrupt worsening) of pre-existing symptoms.
The word paroxysm means “sudden attack, outburst” and comes from the Greek παροξυσμός (spasms), “irritation, exasperation.”
Paroxysmal symptoms are short and frequent and can be observed in various clinical situations.
They are usually associated with multiple sclerosis or whooping cough. Still, They can also be seen in other disorders such as encephalitis, head trauma, stroke, asthma, trigeminal neuralgia, episodes of breath retention, epilepsy, malaria, tabes dorsal, and Behçet’s disease, paroxysmal hemoglobinuria night (HPN).
It has also been observed as a symptom of gratification disorder in children.
Paroxysmal attacks have been reported extensively in various disorders, and it is presumed that the ephaptic coupling of demyelinated nerves is one of the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.
This is supported by the presence of these attacks in multiple sclerosis and dorsal tabes, which involve the demyelination of the spinal cord neurons.
Development of the paroxysm
Exercise, tactile stimuli, hot water, anxiety, and neck flexion can cause paroxysmal attacks. Most reported paroxysmal attacks are painful tonic spasms, dysarthria, ataxia, numbness, and hemiparesis.
