Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, affecting various body parts and causing symptoms like pain, tremors, and spasms. While its specific causes are unclear, it may be linked to damage in the basal ganglia of the brain, and treatments include medications such as levo dopa, benzhexol, and botox, as well as deep brain stimulation. Diagnosis typically involves medical history, physical exams, and tests like MRI, CT scans, and electromyography to rule out other conditions.
Introduction To Dystonia
Dystoniais a Neurological Movement Disorder that causes muscles to
contract and spasm involuntarily causing pain, tremors, twisting and
other uncontrollable movements. Dystonia can affect any part of the
body including the arms, legs, neck, eyelids, face or vocal cords.
Dystonia has no cure!
3.
Causes of Dystonia
Therearen't any specific, identifiable causes of this condition.
However, it is believed that this condition might be linked to damage
to the basal ganglia, which is the part of the brain that is responsible
for muscle contractions.
4.
Symptoms of Dystonia
Thesymptoms depend upon the area of the body that is affected by
involuntary muscle cramp (muscle contraction).
Eyelids. Rapid blinking or involuntary spasms causing your eyes
to close (blepharospasms) can make you functionally blind.
Spasms usually aren't painful, but might increase when you're in
bright light, under stress or interacting with people. Your eyes
might feel dry.
Hand and forearm. Some types of dystonia occur only while you
do a repetitive activity, such as writing (writer's dystonia) or
playing a specific musical instrument (musician's dystonia).
5.
Symptoms Continue…
Voicebox and vocal cords (spasmodic dystonia). You might have a
tight or whispering voice.
Neck: This is also categorized in focal type. It is characterised by
intense spasms of the neck muscles. It is also called cervical
dystonia. Here the symptoms include twisting and trunking of the
head to one side so violently that it may cause tremendous pain.
Also, the head might move forward or backward involuntarily.
6.
Symptoms Continue…
Jawor tongue (oromandibular dystonia). You might experience
slurred speech, drooling, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.
Oromandibular dystonia can be painful and often occurs in
combination with cervical dystonia or blepharospasms.
Face: When the muscles of one side of the face suffer spasm, the
condition is referred to as hemifacial spasm. This is also classified
under the focal type. It seems to worsen under stress and fatigue.
7.
Treatments of Dystonia
A trial of low dose Levo Dopa (62.5mg-100mg) 2-3 times daily is
warranted
High doses of Benzhexol (Artane) Start with 4-5mg/day and
increase to 80
Tetrabenazine and Pimozide/Haloperidol
Baclofen
Clonazepam and Diazepam
Botox
Deep Brain stimulation
8.
Diagnosis of Dystonia
Todiagnose dystonia, your doctor will start with a medical history
and physical examination.
To determine if underlying conditions are causing your symptoms,
your doctor might recommend:
Blood or urine tests. These tests can reveal signs of toxins or of
other conditions.
MRI or CT scan. These imaging tests can identify abnormalities in
your brain, such as tumors, lesions or evidence of a stroke.
Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical activity
within muscles.
9.
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