A-Z of Neurological Conditions

Description

Dystonia is a disorder which causes muscles in the body to contract and spasm involuntarily. Spasms may affect one part of the body or many parts simultaneously and can be very painful.

Types

The Dystonias can be defined in terms of which body parts are involved.

• Focal - affects one part
• Segmental - 2 or more adjacent body parts
• Multifocal - 2 or more non-adjacent parts
• Generalised

Primary focal dystonia are the most common including:

• Cervical dystonia (or spasmodic torticollis) affects the neck muscles.
• Blepharospasm affects the muscles of the eyelids.
• Hand dystonia/writers cramp affects the hand and finger muscles
• Laryngeal dystonia (or spasmodic dysphonia) affects the vocal chords.
• Oromandibular dystonia affects the muscles in the jaw, mouth and tongue.

Useful National contacts

The Dystonia Society
Helpline: 0845 458 6322
www.dystonia.org.uk

Our resources

The library at Neurosupport has a range of reference resources on this condition and on a wide range of disability related issues.