Dystonic Disorders

Dystonic Disorders refer to a group of neurological conditions that cause involuntary, often repetitive muscle contractions. These contractions can cause abnormal postures or movements and can be a challenging diagnosis to make. Individuals with dystonic disorders often experience abnormal muscle spasms in their faces, arms, hands, legs, and trunk, which can vary in severity. The most common type of dystonia is focal dystonia, which affects one body part or limited group of muscles, such as the eyelids or a hand. Other types of dystonia are segmental dystonia, which affects individual muscles of multiple body parts, such as the eyelids and mouth, and generalized dystonia, which affects both upper and lower body muscles, resulting in widespread body movement. The cause of dystonic disorders is unclear, though there does appear to be a genetic factor at play, as the condition can run in families. In addition, dystonic disorders have been linked to certain neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury. The symptoms can vary in intensity, and may come and go on their own or require medical help. Treatment for dystonic disorders typically includes medications that suppress muscle contractions or spasms, as well as Botulinum toxin injections to help relax muscles and improve movements. In severe cases, surgery may be an option. Though dystonic disorders can be disabling and treatable, understanding of them and the treatments have improved greatly over the past few decades. With advances in medical science, individuals with dystonic disorders are now able to receive the individualized treatment they need to manage the symptoms, improve their quality of life, and focus on living a full life.