Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder syndrome in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures. The movements may resemble a tremor. Dystonia is often intensified or exacerbated by physical activity, and symptoms may progress into adjacent muscles.
The disorder may be hereditary or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma, infection, poisoning (e.g., lead poisoning) or reaction to pharmaceutical drugs, particularly neuroleptics. Treatment must be highly customized to the needs of the individual and may include oral medications, chemodenervation botulinum neurotoxin injections, physical therapy and/or other supportive therapies, and/or surgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation.
Dystonia is classified by: 1. Clinical characteristics such as age of onset, body distribution, nature of the symptoms, and associated features such as additional movement disorders or neurological symptoms, and 2. Cause (which includes changes or damage to the nervous system and inheritance).
Dystonia is a neurological disorder or condition where the brain improperly communicates to the muscles of the body. The condition causes involuntary muscle spasms and contractions. The body is forced into awkward and often painful movements and postures. It is a degenerative condition and currently has no cure.
There are various forms or types of Dystonia:
Generalized Dystonia – Causes cramping and twisting in the feet, limbs and torso
Cervical Dystonia / Spasmodic Torticollis – Involuntary movements and postures in the neck.
Oromandibular Dystonia – Involuntary movement in the face, jaw and/or tongue.
Hand Dystonia / Writer’s Cramp – Causes the fingers to curl and the hand and forearm to cramp.
Spasmodic Dysphonia / Laryngeal Dystonia – Contraction of vocal cord muscles.
Blepharospasm – Uncontrollable blinking or eye closure.
01:16 – Dystonia Classification Chart – Click the time link to be taken to that part of the video. Pause video to view and read more completely. You can also view and download the image from the Doctor Scott website article on Dystonia:
http://doctorscotthealth.com/pharmacy…
RESOURCES:
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/
American Dystonia Society
http://www.dystoniasociety.org/
The Dystonia Society
http://www.dystonia.org.uk/
PERSONAL STORIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DYSTONIA:
Dystonia and Me – Blog
http://dystoniaandme.com/
Stasha Haynes – YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/stashahaynes
SPREAD AWARENESS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA:
Thunderclap for Dystonia:
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/9…
BLUE RIBBON DYSTONIA AWARENESS WEEK PROFILE BADGE:
View and download the Dystonia Awareness Week profile badge at the bottom of the Doctor Scott companion dystonia article and use it as your profile picture to help spread awareness:
http://doctorscotthealth.com/pharmacy…