Dystonia is a type of movement disorder characterized by uncontrollable muscle contractions. These contractions cause involuntary twisting of body parts and abnormal postures. This condition can affect a single muscle, a group of muscles, or the entire body.
What are the symptoms of dystonia?
Symptoms of dystonia can vary and can be mild or severe. The most common early symptoms are:
- Foot cramps
- Speech difficulties
- A foot that drags when walking
- Excessive blinking
Symptoms of dystonia may worsen with stress or fatigue, and with constant muscle contractions, pain and discomfort are common.
The causes of dystonia are currently unknown, so it is classified as a condition.
What causes dystonia?
The specific causes of dystonia are not known and this disorder is not fully understood as a condition, however, it is believed that it may be due to chemical imbalances in the region of the brain called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia are responsible for initiating muscle contractions, and if the nerve cells do not communicate properly, muscle contractions can become involuntary and uncontrollable.
Dystonia can be inherited from the parents, or it can develop if the basal ganglia are damaged. Damage to the basal ganglia can be the result of:
- Lack of oxygen
- Infections
- Trauma to the brain
- Strokes
- Tumors
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Reactions to certain drugs.
What treatments are used to treat dystonia?
Treatment for dystonia depends on its severity and the part of the body that is affected. There is a fairly new treatment for dystonia that uses injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) that is injected into the affected muscles. Botox blocks the chemical called acetylcholine that causes muscle contractions. With repeated injections, some control over muscle contractions can be regained.
In more severe cases of dystonia, deep brain stimulation may be performed as a treatment. This involves implanting an electrode in the affected area of the brain that is connected to a stimulator that emits electrical pulses aimed at reducing the number of involuntary muscle contractions. There are also medications that can help patients with dystonia by controlling the chemical miscommunications occurring in the brain that cause the muscle contractions.
Finally, there is physical therapy, speech therapy, and stress management techniques that can help patients with dystonia control their symptoms.