“Dystonia” is a compound term made up of the Greek words “dys,” which means abnormal, and “tonos,” which denotes tension. This condition can also affect the vocal cords, face, neck, and limbs in addition to the abovementioned areas. You can get Dystonia Treatment in India through different methods.

 To know more, read the below content.

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What Is Dystonia?

Uncontrollable muscular contractions that cause abnormal postures and repetitive, twisting movements are the hallmark of the neurological disorder, Dystonia. These intermittent or continuous muscle contractions may affect a single muscle, a group of muscles, or even the entire body.

Types Of Dystonia

The types of dystonia are:

• Generalized Dystonia – Refers to dystonia that is not limited to a single part of the body but affects multiple muscle groups throughout the body.

• Segmental Dystonia – It affects two or more parts of the body that are adjacent or close to one another.

• Focal Dystonia – It causes involuntary muscle movements or contractions in one part of your body. You may have focal dystonia in your neck, eyes, jaw or vocal cords. Focal dystonia can also affect your wrists, hands or fingers.

• Vegetative vascular Dystonia – It is a change in the tone of blood vessels of various organs and tissues that occurs due to a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

Causes Of Dystonia

The exact cause of Dystonia is unknown but may involve alterations in some brain parts. Dystonia can also be a symptom of another disease, including:

Genetic factors: In rare cases, Dystonia can be inherited. The DYT1 gene mutation, the most frequent genetic cause of generalized Dystonia, is one of the multiple genetic mutations connected to Dystonia.

Environmental factors: Environmental factors may cause or aggravate some cases of Dystonia, including exposure to specific substances, infections, or trauma. Dystonia can be brought on by exposure to particular medications, such as neuroleptics.

Brain abnormalities: There have been connections between structural or functional abnormalities and various motor control-related brain regions that may be a factor in Dystonia. The proper operation of the thalamus, basal ganglia, or other brain areas responsible for movement coordination may be hampered by these problems.

Neurotransmitter dysfunction: Dystonia is likely caused by abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels or function, which are chemical messengers that help communicate between brain cells.

Secondary causes: A variety of diseases or injuries can lead to Dystonia. Dystonia can also be brought on by brain damage brought on by strokes, head trauma, or brain tumors.

Idiopathic Dystonia: Idiopathic Dystonia is not recognized to have any known leading causes. This demonstrates that the condition may have a variety of underlying causes, including hereditary and environmental factors.

Medicines: Acute dystonic reactions most commonly occur in patients soon after taking to dopamine receptor blocking drugs, including antiemetics (e.g. metoclopramide or prochlorperazine) and antipsychotics.
 

Symptoms Of Dystonia

Involuntary muscle contractions: Consistent muscular contractions that cause aberrant postures or repetitive motions are the defining symptom of Dystonia. They might be localized, segmental, or generalized contractions.

Muscle spasms or cramps: People with Dystonia may occasionally suffer muscle twitches or spasms in the affected body portion. These motions may be erratic and deteriorate due to stress, exhaustion, or particular acts.

Abnormal postures: The affected body portion may adopt unusual and frequently twisted positions due to Dystonia. For instance, if the neck muscles are affected by Dystonia, the head may be dragged, twisted, or moved forward or backward.

Tremors: Besides tremors, which are rhythmic, involuntary shaking motions, some people with Dystonia may also feel them. Some forms of Dystonia, including dystonic tremors, are more at risk of having tremors.

Pain and discomfort: Pain and discomfort in the afflicted muscles or joints can be brought on by Dystonia. The constant muscle contractions can cause achy, cramping, or exhausted muscles.

Functional impairment: Dystonia can considerably hinder daily activities and motor function, depending on its severity and location. Writing, walking, speaking, and using one’s fine motor abilities may become problematic.

Sensory symptoms: In the area of the body that is affected, people can experience unusual sensory sensations such as tightness, tingling, or a “pulling” sensation.

Diagnosis Of Dystonia

The standard diagnostic method used is:

• Medical history: Before beginning any treatment, the doctor will carefully review your medical history, including the symptoms you are experiencing now and how long they have persisted. They will ask if the family has a history of movement disorders.

• Physical examination: A complete physical test will be performed to look for aberrant postures, muscular contraction patterns, or any other outward indications of Dystonia. The doctor will evaluate the range of motion, muscle power, and coordination.

• Neurological examination: A neurological exam will determine how effectively the nervous system functions. Tests that measure reflexes, sensitivity, coordination, and muscular tone may be a part of this.

• Additional tests: In some circumstances, further tests may be mandated to help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible explanations of the symptoms. These tests could consist of the following:

• Blood tests: Blood testing, including urine tests, can be performed to rule out other illnesses that can present with similar symptoms or to look for specific genetic markers linked to particular forms of Dystonia.

• Brain imaging: MRI or CT scans may be carried out to check the brain and rule out structural abnormalities or other neurological diseases that could be the source of the symptoms. These can also help in identification of Tumour, Lesions or stroke.

• Electromyography (EMG): Small electrodes are inserted into the muscles during an EMG to record electrical activity. This test can assist in assessing muscle activity and identifying any anomalies or uncontrollable muscular contractions linked to Dystonia.

• Genetic testing: If a family history of Dystonia or specific hereditary kinds of Dystonia is suspected, genetic testing may be advised. Specific gene mutations connected to Dystonia can be found by genetic testing.

• Dopamine transporter imaging: A dopamine transporters imaging scan, such as a single-photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography scan, may be carried out to evaluate dopamine levels in the brain if a dopamine deficiency is suspected of causing Dystonia.

Risk Factors Of Dystonia

The risk factors that are associated with Dystonia are:

1. Genetic factors: Certain gene mutations have been connected to the emergence of Dystonia, which may have a genetic component. The chance of acquiring Dystonia can occasionally be increased by inheriting the illness from one or both parents.
2. Environmental factors: The likelihood of acquiring Dystonia may rise if exposed to particular chemicals or ecological variables. These elements may include exposure to specific pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, or industrial pollutants. However, precisely what induces Dystonia in a given context is still unclear.
3. Brain injury: Dystonia risk may be increased by damage to specific brain regions, such as the basal ganglia or cerebellum. Head trauma, strokes, and infections that damage the central nervous system are stressful occurrences that can cause brain injury.
4. Medications: There have been reports of certain drugs causing or worsening Dystonia. Examples include some antipsychotic pharmaceuticals, nausea-relieving treatments, and some medicines used to treat movement disorders.
5. Age and gender: Although Dystonia can affect people of various ages, some types are more common in particular age groups. For instance, early-onset Dystonia frequently starts in adolescents or youth. Females also often have some dystonia, such as cervical Dystonia.
6. Stress and anxiety: While not the leading cause of Dystonia, stress, and worry can exacerbate the condition in certain people. Dystonia symptoms might intensify, and muscle tension can increase due to emotional fear and anxiety.

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Dystonia Treatment In India

• Medications: The initial phase of treatment for Dystonia is using drugs to manage symptoms. Anticholinergic medications like trihexyphenidyl or benzhexol are frequently recommended to treat muscle spasms. Depending on the nature and severity of the Dystonia, other medicines like muscle relaxants or injections of botulinum toxin are also advised.

• Botulinum toxin injections: Botulinum toxin injections, also known as “Botox,” are used to treat focal Dystonia. During this procedure, small quantities of botulinum toxin are injected into selected muscles to relax them and lessen muscular spasms temporarily. After a few months, the efficacy usually wears off, and the injections must be repeated.

• Deep brain stimulation: Those with severe or widespread Dystonia who don’t respond well to medications or botulinum toxin injections may have the option of deep brain stimulation.DBS entails implanting electrodes in specific brain regions, which are later attached to a neurostimulator, a device that resembles a pacemaker. The device sends electrical impulses to reduce symptoms of Dystonia and aberrant brain activity.

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation: Managing Dystonia requires a critical role in physical therapy. A physiotherapist can design a customized training schedule to improve muscle strength, coordination, and range of motion. Occupational therapy and speech therapy may also be advised to treat specific dystonia-related speech or motor issues.

• Support groups and counseling: A person’s emotional health can be substantially impacted by Dystonia. In addition to offering a forum for sharing experiences and coping mechanisms, joining support groups or seeking counseling services can provide individuals with crucial emotional support.

Dystonia Treatment Cost In India

Depending on the type of treatment and hospital, the cost of dystonia treatment in India generally ranges between  USD 23,000 – USD 30,000. This cost is for DBS – Deep brain stimulation; a medical procedure to treat dystonia.

Top 10 Dystonia Treatment Hospitals in India

1. Aster CMI Hospital
2. Max Hospital Shalimar bagh
3. Rainbow Hospital Delhi
4. Fortis Hospital Noida
5. Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta
6. Fortis Hospital and Kidney Institute (Rash Behari Ave)
7. Apollo Hospital
8. Apollo Hospitals City Centre
9. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
10. Lilavati Hospital And Research Centre

The above article has been proofread by our in-house health expert Dr Alok Pandey, physician (MBBS).

Choose GoMedii for the best Dystonia Treatment in India

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