13 Jul How Can Dystonia Be Treated?
If you are on this page, it is probably because you or a loved one has developed one or more of the symptoms related with dystonia; and you’re probably trying to find the best alternative to treat the condition. Dystonia covers movement disorders that can cause muscle spasms and contractions, which might either sustain or recur, causing repetitive, uncommon, awkward, and painful postures, along with involuntary shaking during movements. All of this is caused because of underlying issues with the brain and nervous system. The part of the brain that controls the movement of muscles in the body is affected, which is why the symptoms. Dystonia can be experienced in the hands, legs, face, neck, and jaws.
There is no sure shot cure for dystonia; but the condition can definitely be managed and controlled effectively so as to help the patient live better, and not have his condition worsened. The treatment of every dystonia patient is decided after analyzing the sort of dystonia he is suffering from, and the exact nature of his symptoms. The available options of dystonia treatment in UAE include –
Medications
There are certain medications that can help control muscle movements. Some of them are carbidopa-levodopa, trihexyphenidyl, benztropine, tetrabenazine, diazepam, clonazepam, and baclofen. Each medication has its own effective function and capability, along with different side-effects. Thus, you must take any of these medications only after a specialist analyzes your condition, and prescribes you the most appropriate medication for your individual body requirement.
Botox injections
Injecting Botulinum toxin, or more popularly known as Botox, into specific muscles can help control muscles contractions and improve abnormal postures. But, the effect of the injection lasts only for a few months, which is why the patient will have to be injected every 3-6 months, depending upon his symptoms and condition. This treatment has proven to be the most effective, with the least possible side-effects; some of them being dryness in the mouth, changes in voice, and weakness; however, all of them being only temporary.
Therapies
If your condition is just the initial stage of dystonia, which does not require any medications or injections as such, then following only a few simple therapies should be enough. Or, the doctor may advise you some therapies alongside your medications or injections, if required. These therapies may involve stretching exercises, massaging, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. Along with that, you may also practice meditation, deep breathing, and yoga, if it feels comfortable.
Surgery
The last retort to treating dystonia is undergoing a surgery, if the condition is worst, and none of the above options have the capability to work against the symptoms. Deep brain stimulation is the most popularly performed surgery, which has been approved and successfully used for patients across the world. The surgery involves implanting electrodes into specific parts of the brain, which are connected to a generator implanted in the chest. The generator sends electrical pulses to these electrodes, which help control muscle spasms and contractions.
Living with dystonia is certainly not an easy task. It may become uncomfortable and frustrating. It is thus important to get in touch with a professional at the earliest, as soon as you identify any of the symptoms mentioned above. Don’t feel shy or hesitate to make an appointment with a professional specialist like Dr. Shivam Mittal to have an effective dystonia treatment in UAE. The doctor will only help you control your condition and make living life with dystonia easier. It’s better to treat your condition at the earliest, rather than hesitating in the earlier stages, only to fall prey to surgery in the future, when the symptoms start worsening.
