THIS IS PART ONE OF OUR LATEST MONTHLY TOPIC-DYSTONIA. THE SECOND PART.THE INTERVIEW WITH MY LONG-TIME CHILDHOOD FRIEND TIM WILL COME AT A LATER DATE. ONCE OUR SUMMER HIATUS IS DONE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. -JESSICA
MAY MONTHLY TOPIC: Dystonia
MAY 1, 2025
Resources Used: mayoclic.org
No free royalty will be used for promotional purposes. Instead, the abler’s logo will be used in all promotional Materials for this topic.
Author Note: I am not a professional of any kind. I am strongly against self-diagnosis and encourage my audience to seek the professional advice of their trusted medical professional and any other trusted professional depending on the topic at hand. The Abler Blog ONLY PROVIDES LIMITED GENERAL INFORMATION and ALWAYS CITES WHERE THEY FIND THEIR RESOURCES AND OR INFORMATION.
Jessica Niziolek,
Founder of The Abler Blog and online community.
What Is Dystonia?
This condition affects a person’s ability to control their muscles and how they move. This condition can also cause the person’s muscles to twist and contract repeatedly without the person’s ability to control their muscles from doing this.
Are There Different Types Of This Condition?
The short answer to this question is yes. Here is the breakdown.
When the condition affects one part of the person’s body, this is called Focal Dystonia.
When this condition affects two or more parts of the body next to one another, it is called Segmental Dystonia.
When this condition affects the entire body, it is called General Dystonia.
What Causes Dystonia?
While there isn’t a definitive cause for this condition, medical researchers think there may be communication changes between the person(s)’ nerve cells and multiple regions of the brain. Many forms of this condition can affect families. Dystonia can also be a symptom of another contain or disease such as:
Parkinson's disease.
Huntington's disease.
Wilson's disease.
Traumatic brain injury.
Birth injury.
Stroke
What Are The symptoms of Dystonia and when do they typically begin to show in the person?
This condition can affect people in different ways and at other times. But as an example, people who have Focal Dystonia begin experiencing spasms around the age of 21. And can begin the neck, arm, or face. While it does stay in some areas of the body, as stated above, it can spread to other parts of the person’s body. This may include the vocal cords/voice box, jaw, tongue, and eyelids, to name just a few.
It is also important to note that women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with this condition than men.
If Someone suspects they have this condition when should they see a doctor?
The beginning signs usually appear when a person is doing a specific activity. If you experience uncontrollable muscle spasms, it’s recommended that you see your doctor.
How Is Dystonia Diagnosed And Treated? To get an accurate diagnosis of Dystonia, a medical team must perform a physical exam and inquire about a family history. To eliminate other conditions that may be causing the symptoms some tests may be ordered by your doctor such as:
Blood or urine tests. These tests can reveal signs of toxins or other conditions.
MRI or CT scan. These imaging tests look for changes in your brain, such as tumors or evidence of a stroke.
Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical activity within muscles.
Genetic testing. Some forms of dystonia are associated with certain genes. Knowing if you have these genes can help guide treatment.
What Are The Treatment Options For Dystonia?
Some options for treating Dystonia are botox, PT and OT, speech therapy, stretching, various types of medications, and different surgical options. Please visit mayoclinic.org under the treatment and diagnosis tab for a more detailed list.
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