Symptoms and treatment of Cervical dystonia
Cervical dystonia
Description
Cervical dystonia, also called spasmodic torticollis, is a painful condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing your head turned to one side. Cervical dystonia can also cause your head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward.
A rare disorder that can occur at any age, cervical dystonia most often occurs in middle-aged people, women more than men. The symptoms usually begin gradually and then reach a point where they don't get substantially worse.
There is No cure for cervical dystonia. The disorder is sometimes resolves without treatment, but sustained remissions are uncommon. The injection of botulinum toxin into the affected muscles often reduces the signs and symptoms of cervical dystonia. Surgery may be appropriate in some cases.
Symptoms
The contractions of the muscles involved in cervical dystonia can also cause your head to spin in a variety of directions, including:
- The chin toward the shoulder
- The ear toward the shoulder
- The chin straight up
- Down the chin
The most common type of torsion associated with cervical dystonia is when your chin is drawn to his shoulder. Some people experience a combination of abnormal postures of the head. Spasms of movement of the head can also occur.
Many people who have cervical dystonia, also experience neck pain that may radiate to the shoulders. The disorder can also cause headaches. In some people, the pain of cervical dystonia can be exhausting and off.
Causes
In most people with cervical dystonia, the cause is unknown. Some people who have cervical dystonia have a family history of the disease. Researchers have found mutations in the gene associated with cervical dystonia. Cervical dystonia is also sometimes linked to the head, neck or shoulder injuries.
Risk factors
Risk factors for cervical dystonia include:
- Age. While the disorder can occur in people of any age, it most commonly begins after age 30.
- Your sex. Women are more likely to develop cervical dystonia, which are men.
- The history of the family. If a family member has cervical dystonia or any other type of dystonia, you are at greater risk of developing the disorder.
Complications
In some cases, the involuntary muscle contractions associated with cervical dystonia may extend to areas of your body. The most common locations are the face, jaw, arms, and trunk.
People who have cervical dystonia, you can also develop bone spurs that can reduce the amount of space in the spinal canal. This can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
Cervical dystonia
Diagnosis
While a physical examination can often confirm a diagnosis of cervical dystonia, your doctor may suggest blood tests or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out any underlying conditions causing your signs and symptoms.
Treatment
There is No cure for cervical dystonia. In some people, the signs and symptoms can disappear without treatment, but recurrence is common. The treatment is focused on relieving the signs and symptoms.
Drugs
Botulinum toxin, an agent paralyzing often used to smooth the wrinkles of the face, it can be injected directly into the muscles of the neck affected by cervical dystonia. Examples of botulinum toxin drugs include Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin Myobloc.
Most people with cervical dystonia to see improvement with these injections, which usually must be repeated every three to four months.
To improve the results, or to help reduce the dose and frequency of injections of botulinum toxin, your doctor may also suggest oral medications that have a muscle relaxant effect.
Therapies
Sensory tricks, such as playing the opposite side of the face or the back of your head, can cause spasms to stop temporarily. Different sensory tricks work for different people, but they often lose effectiveness as the disease progresses.
Heat packs and massage can help relax the neck and shoulder muscles. Exercises to improve neck strength and flexibility can also be useful.
The signs and symptoms of cervical dystonia, tend to worsen when you are stressed, so learning stress management techniques is also important.
Surgery and other procedures
If less invasive treatments don't help, your doctor may suggest surgery. The procedures may include:
- The deep brain stimulation. In this procedure, a thin wire is guided into the brain through a small hole cut in the skull. The tip of the wire is placed in the part of the brain that controls movement. Electrical pulses are sent through the wire to interrupt the nerve signals causing the head of the torque.
- The court of the nerves. Another option is to cut surgically nerves lead to the contraction of the signals to the affected muscles.
Coping and support
Cases of severe cervical dystonia can make you feel uncomfortable in social situations, or even limit your ability to perform daily tasks such as driving. Many people with cervical dystonia feel isolated and depressed.
Remember that you are not alone. A number of organizations and support groups are dedicated to providing information and support for you and your family — if you have the disorder or you have a friend or family member who does.
Your doctor may be able to suggest support groups available in your area, or there are a good number of sites on the internet with information about local support groups.
Preparing for your appointment
While you can talk about your symptoms with your family doctor, he or she may refer you to a neurologist — a doctor who specializes in disorders of the brain and the nervous system — for further evaluation.
What you can do
Because appointments can be brief, plan for the future and write a list that includes:
- Information about the health problems of your parents or siblings
- All of the medications and supplements you take
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:
- When did the symptoms begin?
- The symptoms worsened over time?
- Nothing seems to help relieve your symptoms?
- What medications do you take?
