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ABSTRACT –

Dystonia is a disorder that involves involuntary muscle contraction causing monotonous or twisting movements and tremor. It can affect any part of a muscle, a muscle group or the entire body. The spasms usually range from mild to severe.

CAUSES –

The exact cause of this disorder is still unknown but it depends upon whether the cause is primary or secondary.

• Problem in one of the part of brain called Basal Ganglia which includes caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus in the cerebrum.
• Neurotransmitters are produced in the basal ganglia causing improper muscle function.

• Brain tumors
• Intake of carbon monoxide
• Oxygen deficiency
• Cerebral palsy affecting body movements and muscle coordination
• Huntington’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Infections like Encephalitis, TB or HIV
• Mental stroke, traumatic brain or spine injury
• Wilson’s disease

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –

• Dragging of foot and toes
• Foot cramps
• Cervical Dystonia involves involuntary pulling of the neck
• Constant blinking
• Oromandibular Dystonia – Difficulty in speech

COMPLICATIONS –

• Physical disabilities affecting daily activities
• Problem in vision
• Problem in jaw movements, swallowing or speech
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Depression and anxiety

DIAGNOSIS –

• Blood test
• Urine test
• MRI or CT Scans
• Electromyography
• Genetic test

TREATMENT –

• Certain medications like muscle relaxants, Botulinum toxin etc
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Surgery in severe conditions – Deep Brain Stimulation and Selective Denervation Surgery

EPIDEMIOLOGY –

• Estimation shows that Dystonia affects about 1% of the population worldwide.
• Women are more prone to this disorder than men.