Dystonia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dystonia
A person with medication-induced dystonia
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Neurology
Patient UK	Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder. It causes muscles to contract (tighten) on their own, leading to twisting, repetitive movements, or unusual body positions. These movements can sometimes look like tremors (shaking). Dystonia often gets stronger or worse with physical activity. Over time, the symptoms might spread to muscles nearby.

Dystonia happens because of a problem in the brain that affects how it controls muscle movements. It's not a problem with the muscles themselves, but with the signals the brain sends to them.

What is Dystonia?

Dystonia is a condition where your brain sends wrong signals to your muscles. This makes your muscles tighten up or spasm without you wanting them to. Imagine your arm suddenly twisting or your neck pulling to one side, and you can't easily stop it. That's what dystonia can feel like.

These muscle contractions are often repetitive. This means they happen over and over again. They can force parts of the body into unusual or uncomfortable positions. For example, a person's foot might turn inward, or their eyelids might close tightly.

Types of Dystonia

Dystonia can affect different parts of the body. Doctors often describe it based on how much of the body is involved.

Focal Dystonia

This type affects only one specific part of the body.

• Cervical Dystonia: This is also called torticollis. It affects the neck muscles, causing the head to twist or tilt to one side.
• Blepharospasm: This affects the muscles around the eyes, causing involuntary blinking or closing of the eyelids.
• Writer's Cramp: This affects the hand and forearm muscles, making it hard to write or perform other fine motor tasks. It usually only happens when someone tries to do that specific task.
• Laryngeal Dystonia: This affects the voice box muscles, causing a strained or breathy voice.

Segmental Dystonia

This type affects two or more connected parts of the body. For example, it might affect the neck and one arm.

Generalized Dystonia

This is when dystonia affects most of the body. It can involve the trunk, legs, and arms. This type often starts in childhood or adolescence.

What Causes Dystonia?

The exact cause of dystonia isn't always known, but scientists are learning more.

Primary Dystonia

Sometimes, dystonia happens on its own without any other clear reason. This is called primary dystonia. It's thought to be caused by problems in certain brain areas, like the basal ganglia, which help control movement. These problems are often genetic, meaning they can be passed down in families.

Secondary Dystonia

Other times, dystonia can be a symptom of another condition or caused by something else. This is called secondary dystonia.

• Medications: Some medicines can cause temporary or permanent dystonia.
• Brain Injury: Injuries to the brain, like from a stroke, lack of oxygen, or trauma, can sometimes lead to dystonia.
• Other Diseases: Certain neurological diseases can also cause dystonia as one of their symptoms.

Symptoms of Dystonia

The symptoms of dystonia can vary a lot from person to person.

• Repetitive Movements: Muscles contract repeatedly, causing twisting or jerking.
• Abnormal Postures: Parts of the body might be held in unusual or uncomfortable positions.
• Pain: The constant muscle contractions can cause pain or discomfort.
• Fatigue: The effort of fighting the muscle spasms can be very tiring.
• Worsening with Activity: Symptoms often become more noticeable or severe when a person tries to use the affected muscles. For example, writer's cramp only appears when writing.
• "Sensory Trick": Sometimes, touching the affected body part or a nearby area can temporarily reduce the dystonia. For example, a person with cervical dystonia might touch their chin to help their head straighten.

How is Dystonia Diagnosed?

Diagnosing dystonia usually involves a doctor who specializes in brain and nerve conditions (a neurologist).

• Physical Exam: The doctor will observe the person's movements and postures.
• Medical History: They will ask about symptoms, when they started, and if anyone else in the family has similar issues.
• Tests: Sometimes, tests like an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the brain or genetic tests are done to rule out other conditions or find a specific cause.

Treating Dystonia

While there isn't a cure for dystonia yet, there are many ways to manage the symptoms and help people live full lives.

• Medications: Different medicines can help relax muscles or affect brain chemicals to reduce spasms.
• Botulinum Toxin Injections: Small amounts of a medicine called botulinum toxin can be injected directly into the affected muscles. This temporarily weakens the muscles, reducing spasms. This treatment is very common for focal dystonia.
• Physical and Occupational Therapy: Therapists can teach exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and coordination. They can also help find ways to make daily tasks easier.
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): For severe cases, especially generalized dystonia, a surgical procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation might be considered. This involves implanting small electrodes in the brain that send electrical signals to help control movement.

Living with dystonia can be challenging, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, many people can manage their symptoms well and continue to participate in school, hobbies, and social activities. Support groups can also be very helpful for individuals and families.

See also

In Spanish: Distonía para niños