Dystonic Reaction Essay
Dystonic Reaction
Dystonia is a condition that makes your muscles contract without warning (muscle spasms). It can cause unwanted jerking of muscle groups that can be uncomfortable. This condition is rarely life threatening.
CAUSES
A dystonic reaction is most often a side effect to a particular medicine. These reactions occur when the normal patterns of the nerve receptors are upset by a particular medicine and the imbalance causes multiple types of muscle spasm. This condition may also be caused by nervous system disorders, such as:
• Stroke.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Cerebral palsy.
The cause may also be unknown (idiopathic).
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in people who take certain medicines, most
often medicines used to treat psychiatric conditions or nausea.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of dystonia can vary. Symptoms may include:
• Muscle twitches or spasms around your eyes (blepharospasm).
• Foot cramping or dragging.
• Pulling of your neck to one side (torticollis) or backwards (retrocollis).
• Muscles spasms of the face.
• Spasms of the voice box.
• Tremors.
• Awkward and painful positions.
• Muscle cramping after muscle use.
• Spasm of your jaw muscles that makes it difficult to open your mouth.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is often easy to diagnose because of the symptoms that are present. This usually includes the contraction of multiple muscles in the body and the rapid response to treatment. Diagnosis will also include a physical exam and medical history. Other tests may be done if the cause is not known.
TREATMENT
The treatment of this condition depends on the underlying cause. If this condition is caused by medicine you take, it is likely that your health care provider will recommend stopping the use of this medicine. Most often, this condition can be treated with medicines that help relax the muscles and reverse the reaction (anticholinergics). Botulinum toxin may also be injected to stop the involved muscles from contracting.
In severe cases when these treatments do not work, surgery and brain stimulation may be required.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Talk to your health care provider about avoiding the use of the medicine or medicines that are thought to be the cause of the reaction.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until approved by your health care provider.
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your original symptoms return after treatment.
ExitCare® Patient Information ©2012 ExitCare, LLC.
Dystonia is a condition that makes your muscles contract without warning (muscle spasms). It can cause unwanted jerking of muscle groups that can be uncomfortable. This condition is rarely life threatening.
CAUSES
A dystonic reaction is most often a side effect to a particular medicine. These reactions occur when the normal patterns of the nerve receptors are upset by a particular medicine and the imbalance causes multiple types of muscle spasm. This condition may also be caused by nervous system disorders, such as:
• Stroke.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Cerebral palsy.
The cause may also be unknown (idiopathic).
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in people who take certain medicines, most
often medicines used to treat psychiatric conditions or nausea.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of dystonia can vary. Symptoms may include:
• Muscle twitches or spasms around your eyes (blepharospasm).
• Foot cramping or dragging.
• Pulling of your neck to one side (torticollis) or backwards (retrocollis).
• Muscles spasms of the face.
• Spasms of the voice box.
• Tremors.
• Awkward and painful positions.
• Muscle cramping after muscle use.
• Spasm of your jaw muscles that makes it difficult to open your mouth.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is often easy to diagnose because of the symptoms that are present. This usually includes the contraction of multiple muscles in the body and the rapid response to treatment. Diagnosis will also include a physical exam and medical history. Other tests may be done if the cause is not known.
TREATMENT
The treatment of this condition depends on the underlying cause. If this condition is caused by medicine you take, it is likely that your health care provider will recommend stopping the use of this medicine. Most often, this condition can be treated with medicines that help relax the muscles and reverse the reaction (anticholinergics). Botulinum toxin may also be injected to stop the involved muscles from contracting.
In severe cases when these treatments do not work, surgery and brain stimulation may be required.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Talk to your health care provider about avoiding the use of the medicine or medicines that are thought to be the cause of the reaction.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until approved by your health care provider.
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your original symptoms return after treatment.
ExitCare® Patient Information ©2012 ExitCare, LLC.