Dystonia-Symptoms, Causes, and treatments:

Dystonia is a disorder in which the brain cannot control the muscle movements in the body. Depending upon which part of the brain is affected, the symptoms may vary.

There are medications, therapies, and DBS surgery in Mumbai that make it possible to control your muscles and your life.

Dr. Gurneet Sawhney, one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in India, has his base in Mumbai and is an expert in carrying out deep brain stimulation surgeries with excellent success rates.

What are the symptoms of dystonia?

Different people have different symptoms of dystonia. Where and how severely your muscles contract may identify the form of treatment. The muscle contractions might:

• Start from a single part of your body, maybe an arm or a leg or perhaps the neck, anywhere. Patients who show symptoms of muscle contraction after the age of 21 in the areas of the neck, the arm, or the face may be suffering from focal or segmental dystonia. This type of dystonia is curtailed in just a single location.

• Get triggered by specific action of the body, something like writing maybe.

• Aggravate with stress, fatigue, or anxiety.

• Get more evident with time.

The affected areas can be:

·        The neck. Muscle contractions may cause your neck to twist, turn, or get pulled. It can be painful.

·       Eyelids. Involuntary blinking or eyes getting shut(blepharospasms). It might get triggered by sunlight.

·       Jaw or tongue. Oromandibular dystonia, as it is called, can be quite painful and is associated with slurred speech, drooling, and difficulty in ingesting food.

·       Vocal Cords. Spasmodic dystonia results in whispered tone due to constricted vocal cords.

·       Hands. Some repetitive movements of the hands like writing or playing music or something similar may trigger dystonia in hand and the forearm.

You might notice these symptoms come and go while doing a particular activity. There are high chances that you may ignore them for some time until the frequency increases, and so does the discomfort.

What are the causes of dystonia?

While the exact cause is unknown, it is basically due to the altered communication of the neurons in several parts of the brain.

Dr. Gurneet Sawhney explains that your dystonia could be a result of any of the following diseases:

·        Huntington’s Disease

·        Parkinson’s Disease

·        Traumatic brain injury

·        Wilson’s disease

·         Injury at birth.

·        Lack of oxygen to the brain

·        TB or Encephalitis

·        Brain Tumor

·        Heavy metal poisoning or medical reaction.

Your dystonia may make it difficult for you to do everyday things in day-to-day life resulting in anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.

How is Dystonia Diagnosed?

The doctor will start your diagnosis with seemingly simple questions about your medical and family background. This is followed by a physical examination and a few tests that help diagnose.

You may undergo blood and urine tests for signs of toxins or other underlying conditions.

MRI and CT scan imaging help identify abnormalities in the brain such as tumors, lesions, or signs of stroke.

Electromyography (EMG) This test determines the electrical activity within the muscle.

Genetic tests are done to rule out the role of genes, and if present, a guided treatment plan is achievable.

What are the treatments available for dystonia?

Since the treatment is about managing the symptoms, the doctors usually go in for a combined plan of medications, therapy, and surgery to achieve the results.

Medications:

The doctor injects specific muscles with Botox to reduce or eliminate muscle contractions and attain normalcy. These injections are administered every 3-4 months.

Other medications target the neurotransmitters in the brain that control muscle movement.

Therapy:

Doctors suggest physiotherapy or occupational therapy to reduce the symptoms and improve muscle function.

Surgery:

If your symptoms are beyond medications and therapy alone, the doctor will suggest neurosurgery.

Deep Brain Stimulation:

The surgeon implants electrodes into the specific part of the brain that is responsible for a particular muscle movement that is affected. These electrodes are connected to a pulsator using a wire that runs under your skin. The pulsator is placed in your thoracic area.

Selective degenerative surgery:

The neurosurgeon cuts the nerve that controls the muscle spasm. It is an option available when other forms of treatment have not worked.

Conclusion:

When you or someone you know is suffering from this disease, please seek counseling to handle medical emergencies and your mental well-being.