| Another neurological movement disorder. Dealing with | | | | When a patient suffers from both blepharospasmodic |
| sustained muscle contractions that cause twisting and | | | | contractions and oromandibular dystonia, it is referred |
| repetitive movements or abnormal postures. | | | | to as cranial dystonia, also known as Meige's |
| What's this got to do with Parkinson's disease? It can | | | | syndrome. |
| be part of PD. | | | | Many drug treatments have been successful in |
| Symptoms can include disturbed sleep patterns, | | | | managing symptoms, but recent treatments using |
| tiredness, depression, poor concentration, change in | | | | botox have proven extremely successful for 3-6 |
| vision, and more. Normal activities can be more | | | | months when injected into the affected areas. Many |
| difficult to carry out. Sounds like other diseases as | | | | PD treatments are used for treating dystonia and are |
| well, right? That's why it is extremely important to | | | | quite promising in helping the patient to cope with the |
| not self-diagnose. Neurologists and Movement | | | | disease, including deep brain stimulation. |
| Disorder Specialists are physicians specializing in | | | | While some cases can worsen over time, some can |
| various areas such as dystonia and PD, with the | | | | almost be mild in their degree of symptoms and their |
| ability to clearly differentiate the similarities of | | | | affects on the body. What may seem like an odd |
| diseases with commonalities such as these. | | | | treatment may actually be one of the best received |
| As well as the symptoms listed above, dystonia | | | | and most helpful... a big hug. |
| tends to lend itself to continuous pain, cramping and | | | | Proven to be scientific by Temple Grandin and |
| muscle spasms. Penmanship may become altered, | | | | manufactured by Therafin Corp., The Squeeze |
| dropping items becomes common, turning pages | | | | Machine gives the same result, but at a much higher |
| becomes a struggle. The list can go on. Dystonia can | | | | cost. However, it has been proven that when |
| mimic PD in various and assorted ways and diagnosis | | | | encased in a tight 'bear hug' the tension and |
| can be difficult depending on how the disease | | | | tightening of the contracted muscles are often |
| manifests its symptoms, which are quite similar to | | | | released when squeezed tightly. |
| not only PD, but other neurological disorders as well. | | | | There aren't many diseases (if any) that respond to |
| Focal dystonias are the most common types of | | | | such a treatment. The next time you're struggling |
| dystonia. Cervical dystonia affects the neck muscles, | | | | with stiffness, spasms, and pain associated with PD |
| whereas blepharospasm is known to affect the | | | | or dystonia, get a loved one to give you a tight bear |
| muscles around the eyes. When the jaw and tongue | | | | hug and hold you for a few minutes. You'll feel better |
| muscles are affected, it is known as oromandibular | | | | not only physically but in every other way as well. So |
| dystonia. The voice can be affected, causing a | | | | will they. There is healing in a hug for everyone |
| 'crackling' sound and known as spasmodic dysphonia. | | | | involved. |