Dystonia
Overview
Dystonia is the name for uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements (spasms). It's usually a lifelong problem, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms.
Symptoms
Dystonia can affect your whole body or just 1 part. It can start at any age. Symptoms of dystonia include: uncontrolled muscle cramps and spasmsparts of your body twisting into unusual positions – such as your neck being twisted to the side or your feet turning inwardsshaking (tremors)uncontrolled blinking The symptoms may be continuous or come and go. They may be triggered by things like stress or certain activities.
Causes
Dystonia is caused by a problem with the part of the brain that controls movement. Often it's not known why this happens. Sometimes it can be due to: an inherited genetic problema side effect of certain medicines, such as antipsychotic medicines and anti-sickness medicinesParkinson's diseaseastrokecerebral palsymultiple sclerosis
Treatment
Treatment can help relieve the symptoms of dystonia. The best option for you depends on the type of dystonia you have. The main treatments for dystonia are: injections of a medicine called botulinum toxin directly into the affected muscles – these need to be repeated about every 3 monthsmedicine to relax the muscles in a larger part of your body – given as tablets or injections into a veina type of surgery called deep brain stimulation Physiotherapyandoccupational therapymay also help.