Magwise

Diseases treated at the magwise clinic

Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder, a nervous system disease characterized by uncontrollable, unintentional muscle contractions leading to repetitive, involuntary movements or abnormal postures. It results from abnormal signals sent by the brain to the muscles.

Symptoms of dystonia

  • The symptoms of dystonia can vary depending on the affected area and part of the body. Much depends on the disease's development stage and whether it is generalized dystonia, primary dystonia, or secondary dystonia. Symptoms of dystonia may include:
  • Muscle spasms: There may be persistent muscle spasms that cause uncontrollable movements such as twisting, jerking, bending, or extending the limbs, flexing various parts of the body, and dystonic movements. Dystonia can manifest as spasms of the vocal cord muscles,
  • Postural instability: People with dystonia may have difficulty maintaining good posture. Symptoms of the disease include a crooked posture, difficulty maintaining balance or bending abnormally.
  • Pain and discomfort: Dystonia can cause muscle pain and a feeling of muscle tightness and discomfort in the affected areas of the body.

Dystonia - treatment

Treatment of dystonia is individualized and depends on the severity of the symptoms and how they affect the person's daily functioning. It is a chronic disease, and currently, there is no cure for dystonia. However, this does not mean there are no treatment options or improvements in patients' quality of life.
  • There are a few treatments used:
  • Medications such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, muscarinic blockers, or botulinum toxin (botulinum) injections may be used to reduce muscle spasms and symptoms of dystonia.
  • Physical and occupational therapy: Exercise and occupational therapy can help improve movement control and muscle strength and strengthen posture.
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy: In some cases of severe dystonia, deep brain stimulation therapy may be used. It involves implanting electrodes in the brain that deliver electrical impulses to regulate abnormal neuronal activity.
  • Non-invasive stimulation methods include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an auxiliary method.
  • Psychological therapy and support: dystonia can affect mental well-being and quality of life. Psychological therapy and emotional support can help deal with dystonia.
  • Dystonia treatment available at Magwise
  • Pharmacotherapy under the supervision of a specialist neurologist
  • Psychological support
  • Programming DBS electrodes
  • Brain neurostimulation using the TMS method (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

Dystonia treatment available at Magwise

  • Pharmacotherapy under the supervision of a specialist neurologist
  • Psychological support
  • Programming DBS electrodes
  • Brain neurostimulation using the TMS method (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

References

Morrison-Ham J, Clark GM, Ellis EG, Cerins A, Joutsa J, Enticott PG, Corp DT. Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation in dystonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2022 Dec PMCID: PMC9793065.

Specialists in the treatment of dystonia