Dystonia, a disease characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and twisting, can affect different parts of the body. It often affects a single region, and there are different types depending on the affected body region.
Dystonia, a disease characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and twisting, can affect different parts of the body. It often affects a single region, and there are different types depending on the affected body region.
Dystonia is a treatable condition. It is possible to achieve partial relief through various medication treatments. Some patients with dystonia benefit from Botulinum toxin injections. These injections help calm the muscles causing excessive contractions and are typically repeated three to four times a year. It is important that these injections are administered by medical specialists.
When medications and toxin injections do not provide sufficient benefit, surgical options may come into consideration. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which is successfully performed at our center, can help restore the health of many dystonia patients who do not respond to other treatments. It allows them to regain control over their movements and alleviate pain associated with dystonia.
Muscle contractions in the neck cause abnormal turning or tilting of the head, often accompanied by tremors and jerking movements in the head.
Contractions in the facial muscles lead to excessive blinking and spasms of the eyelids, and cause eye closure.
Intense muscle contractions on one side of the face result in the twitching of the eye and pulling of the mouth corner.
This condition occurs when the muscles of the jaw and/or tongue are affected. It can be severe enough to hinder a patient’s ability to eat and speak.
As a result of the contraction of the muscles that control the vocal cords, the patients may make a forced and intermittent sound. They may have trouble breathing. Other commonly affected areas are the hands and feet.
When the hand is affected, this condition typically manifests during specific activities such as writing or playing a musical instrument. In some cases, multiple areas of the body may be affected.
This type of dystonia typically begins in childhood and affects multiple areas of the body. It can be severe enough to hinder a patient’s ability to sit, walk, or move.