Description

Movement disorders are a group of disorders of the nervous system that affects movement. These can cause increased movements or a reduction of the slow movements. These movements may be under the control of a person, known as a volunteer. Or the movements may not be under the control of a person, known as involuntary.

There are many types of movement disorders that cause different symptoms. For example, the dystonia causes muscle contractions that lead to twisting of the body. Another movement disorder called korea causes brief periods of rapid involuntary movements that happen time and time again. Parkinsonism causes of the slow movement with the stiffness, tremors and loss of balance.

The treatments available to help control the symptoms of movement disorders. Depending on the type of movement disorder, medications, treatments, or surgeries may be available. If a condition that causes the movement disorder, the treatment of the disease can help to improve the symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms of movement disorders vary depending on the type of disorder. The most common types of movement disorders and their symptoms include:

  • The Ataxia. The Ataxia affects the part of the brain that controls coordinated movement. Ataxia can cause awkward movements of the arms and legs, and a loss of balance. Ataxia can also change the speech of the person and cause other symptoms. There are many causes of ataxia, including genetic and degenerative diseases. Ataxia can also be caused by an infection or another treatable condition.
  • Korea.Korea makes brief, irregular, somewhat rapid, involuntary movements that happen time and time again. The movements typically involve the face, mouth, trunk, arms, and legs. The korea may seem far-fetched concern. The most common genetic chorea is Huntington's disease. This disease is passed from parents, and gets worse with time. This can be confirmed with genetic testing. Huntington's disease has three types of symptoms. They include movements that can not be controlled, problems with thinking and mental health conditions.
  • The dystonia.This condition involves involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting, irregular postures or movements that occur again and again. Dystonia can affect the whole body or a part of the body. The most common type of dystonia in adults is cervical dystonia. In cervical dystonia, the neck, the muscles contract involuntarily. This causes the head to pull to one side or tilt forward or backward. The head can also shake, known as a tremor.
  • Functional movement disorder. This condition may resemble any of the movement disorders. But it is not caused by a disease of the nervous system, also known as a neurological disease. Functional movement disorders are treatable.
  • The multiple system atrophy. This rare disease affects many systems of the brain and gets worse over time. Multiple system atrophy causes a movement disorder, such as ataxia or parkinsonism. It can also cause low blood pressure, symptoms of the bladder and acting out dreams.
  • The myoclonus. The myoclonus are very fast jerks of a muscle.
  • Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease causes tremors, muscle stiffness, slowness or decreased movement, or loss of balance. It can also cause symptoms not related to the movement. These symptoms include a reduction of the sense of smell, constipation, acting out of dreams and a decline in thinking skills. Parkinson's disease slowly gets worse over time.
  • Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism is a general term for the slowness of movement, along with the stiffness, tremors and loss of balance. There are many different causes. Parkinson's disease and certain dopamine-blocking medications are the most common causes. Other causes include degenerative diseases such as multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy. Stroke or repeated head trauma can also cause parkinson's disease.
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy. This is a rare nervous system condition that causes problems with walking, balance and eye movements. It may resemble Parkinson's disease, but is a distinct condition.
  • Restless legs syndrome. This movement disorder that causes pain, itching or tingling sensations in the legs while relaxing or reclining. The feeling often goes with the movement.
  • Tardive dyskinesia. This neurological condition is caused by prolonged use of certain medications used to treat mental health conditions, called neuroleptic medications. It can also be caused by a common gastrointestinal drug called metoclopramide (Reglan, Gimoti). Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary movements that occur more and more. Symptoms include facial grimacing, eye blinking and other movements.
  • Tourette syndrome. This is a neurological condition associated with repetitive movements and vocal sounds called tics. Tics are movements volunteers, but are caused by an involuntary impulse to do the movements. Tourette syndrome starts between childhood and adolescence.
  • The tremor. This movement disorder that causes the tremor rhythmic beat of the parts of the body, such as the hands, head or other parts of the body. The most common type is the essential tremor.

Korea. Korea makes brief, irregular, somewhat rapid, involuntary movements that happen time and time again. The movements typically involve the face, mouth, trunk, arms, and legs. The korea may seem far-fetched concern.

The most common genetic chorea is Huntington's disease. This disease is passed from parents, and gets worse with time. This can be confirmed with genetic testing. Huntington's disease has three types of symptoms. They include movements that can not be controlled, problems with thinking and mental health conditions.

The dystonia. This condition involves involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting, irregular postures or movements that occur again and again. Dystonia can affect the whole body or a part of the body.

The most common type of dystonia in adults is cervical dystonia. In cervical dystonia, the neck, the muscles contract involuntarily. This causes the head to pull to one side or tilt forward or backward. The head can also shake, known as a tremor.

Causes

A wide variety of factors that can cause movement disorders, including:

  • Genetics. Some types of movement disorders may be caused by an altered gene. The altered gene is passed from a father to a son. This is called an inherited condition. Huntington's disease and Wilson's disease are two movement disorders that can be inherited.
  • Drugs. Medications such as anti-seizure and anti-psychotic medications can lead to movement disorders.
  • Illegal drugs or alcohol in large quantities. Illegal drugs such as cocaine can cause movement disorders, such as korea. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause korea, or ataxia.
  • Not getting enough of certain vitamins. Have low levels of certain vitamins in the body, known as a vitamin deficiency, it can cause movement disorders. A deficiency of vitamin B-1, vitamin B-12 or vitamin E may lead to ataxia.
  • Medical conditions. Thyroid conditions, multiple sclerosis, stroke, encephalitis, viral, and several others can cause movement disorders. Brain tumors can also lead to movement disorders.
  • Head injury. Head Trauma from an injury can lead to movement disorders.

To the majority of people with movement disorders, the cause is not known. When health professionals have not found the exact cause, it is called idiopathic.

Risk factors

The risk of some movement disorders is higher if you have a parent with the disease. Movement disorders that may be passed down through the families, which include essential tremor, Huntington's disease, Wilson's disease and Tourette syndrome.

Other factors that may increase the risk of having a movement disorder include having certain medical conditions or taking certain medications. Drinking large amounts of alcohol, taking illegal drugs such as cocaine or not having enough of certain vitamins in the body, can also increase the risk.

Diagnosis

To diagnose a movement disorder, your health care professional begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. Your health care professional also has its medical history.

You may need tests that can help diagnose a disorder of movement or to find another cause for their symptoms. Tests may include:

  • Blood tests. The blood may be tested for vitamin deficiencies, thyroid function and other conditions.
  • The genetic testing. Your health care professional may recommend that you are tested for certain genetic diseases that can lead to movement disorders.
  • Imaging tests. These may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). Some people may need a test that measures the electrical activity in the muscles, known as electromyography (EMG). Your healthcare provider may also order a dopamine transporter (DAT) scan, which can help diagnose parkinson's disease.

Treatment

Treatment for movement disorders may include medications to control the symptoms. Sometimes, a combination of medications may be necessary. Botox injections can also handle some movement disorders, such as dystonia and essential tremor.

If there is a medical condition that causes the movement disorder, the treatment of the disease can help to relieve the symptoms.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can also help people with movement disorders.

People who have severe symptoms, surgery may be needed. Sometimes, the deep brain stimulation may be an option for the treatment of movement disorders such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease.

Symptoms and treatment of Movement disorders