Dystonia is a neuromuscular disease that triggers muscles to relax out of their own accord. It can cause unnatural posture, twisting, as well as repetitive movement, as well as difficulty swallowing or speaking. Dystonia is a condition that can be experienced by any body part however, it usually is a problem for those with necks, arms, and legs. There are three types of dystonia: primary dystonia, focal dystonia, and generalized dystonia. Each has distinctive characteristics and symptoms. In this blog, we will look at the different types of dystonia thoroughly.
Different ways to characterize Dystonia
Dystonia is an assortment of movement disorders but each disorder is distinctly based on the way it is described. There are many ways to describe dystonia.
LOCATION
Dystonia is a common condition that can be classified according to the areas it is affecting:
- Focal Affects an isolated body component
- Segmental: influences the adjacent body parts
- Multifocal: impacts two or more non-contiguous areas
- Generalized effects: affects the trunk and two other body parts.
- Hemidystonia affects a single part of your body
PATTERNS TEMPORAL
Dystonia can also be identified by its patterns of time:
- Persistent: Dystonia continues to be present throughout the day long, without any fluctuations
- Dystonia is a specific task: it only occurs when a specific event is performed
- Diurnal changes: the severity of dystonia varies at different times during the day. The severity is improved at night.
- The condition is temporary and can occur in a sudden, abrupt manner due to an event that triggers it.
MOVEMENT DIVERS
Dystonia is also characterized by the absence or presence of a co-occurring disorder in movement.
- Isolated dystonia: With an only tremor, dystonia is the sole motor manifestation
- A second movement disorder, like Parkinsonism, is present with dystonia
ETIOLOGY AXIS
The classification is based on the existence or absence of degenerative or structural damage to the neuromuscular system. It also determines the degree to which dystonia was acquired or inherited and also the underlying causes.
Unfortunately, the different ways in which dystonia is classified could cause confusion. For instance, cervical dystonia is classified as focal as well as specific to a task. Similar to writer’s cramp, which is usually thought as a kind of occupational dystonia, or specific hand dystonia for a task. The words that are used to define these kinds of dystonia do not be in agreement but they all refer to the same condition.
Types of Dystonia
FOCAL DYSTONIAS
Focal dystonia can be a problem for the eyes, mouth hands, neck vocal cords, hands, feet. The majority of cases are primary which means they are genetically passed down however, there are secondary cases. Here are some instances that show focal dystonia
- Blepharospasm: muscle contractions that are involuntary on the eyelids and the eyebrows which can result in frequent blinking or closed eyelid that is forced.
- Cervical Dystonia: muscles that contract excessively in the neck which cause the neck, head, and shoulders to twist into awkward postures. The cervical (neck) dystonia may be classified as anterocollis, laterrocollis or retrocollis. depending on the way in which the neck is twisted.
- Laryngeal Dystonia: Involuntary muscle contractions in the vocal cords which cause speech disruptions. Also called spasmodic dysphonia, as well as adult-onset focal dystonia.
- Oromandibular Dystonia: Forceful contractions of the jaw, face or tongue that cause problems in speaking and chewing. Sometimes, it is called Meige’s Syndrome or cranial dystonia (when it’s associated with the condition of blepharospasm). It can be secondary or primary.
- Writer’s Cramp: involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the fingers, hands, forearms, and, sometimes, the shoulder. Also called hand dystonia. It could be specific or as a part of generalized dystonia.
SECONDARY DYSTONIAS
Secondary dystonias can be acquired, meaning they are acquired later in life, as a result of an injury or condition. The most commonly cited reason is a stroke or brain injury, but there are also other possible causes like birth trauma or infections. Secondary dystonia may be caused by the usage of certain drugs.
Here are a few examples:
- Drug-induced Dystonia Certain antipsychotic drugs may cause spasmodic, intermittent, or continuous involuntary muscle contractions within any body part or body part.
- Neurological and Metabolic Disorders Dystonia may be the symptom of many metabolic or neurological illnesses. A few of them are Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease as well as multiple sclerosis.
- Toxins: Toxins can harm the basal ganglia. This could cause dystonia. But, it is usually not seen in people who suffer from other neurological disorders. Its cure is very common you can get it in detail about dystonia treatment in India.
- Trauma Abrasions to the brain or to an individual body part may cause dystonia. For instance, blepharospasm may be triggered by an eye injury or surgery, while cervical dystonia may occur following whiplash or any other neck injuries.