A movement disorder can leave your body debilitated, in chronic pain and you may be dependent on others. There is no cure for these diseases, but there are therapies that can help to alleviate symptoms. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that with the right therapies, people afflicted with movement disorders may be able to gain independence and maintain a normal life.
Description
A movement disorder is any disease or condition that affects the ability to control body movement. An example of a movement disorder is Wilson's disease. This disease is hereditary and causes excessive amounts of copper to accumulate in the body. Tourette syndrome is an inherited movement disorder that involves tics, which are repetitive, involuntary movements and vocal sounds. Ataxias are disorders that consist of gradual deterioration affecting the brain stem, spinal cord and brain. Essential tremor causes uncontrolled movements, which increase with action. A hereditary, degenerative disease that occurs due to deterioration of nerve cells in the brain is Huntington's disease. Progressive supranuclear palsy is a brain disorder that causes permanent gait and balance control problems. This disease causes improper movement of the eyes, mood and behavior changes.
Parkinson's Disease
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that approximately 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson's disease and 60,000 new diagnoses occur each year. Parkinson's Disease is a progressive movement disorder which is caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the portion of the brain that controls movement and inhibits the brain from producing dopamine. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include unsteady gait, loss of spontaneous movement, tremors, muscle rigidity, decreased reaction time, voice changes, decreased frequency of swallowing, lessened facial expression and decreased blinking.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation uses mild electrical signals to stimulate your brain. According to the Mayo Clinic, the brain's electrical impulses are reorganized and symptoms of movement disorders may be relieved. Depending on the condition, deep brain stimulation may be performed on one or both sides of the brain. Deep brain stimulation has several benefits to offer, such as symptom relief, the use of less medication and fewer side effects. Stroke, infection and brain bleeding are all complications associated with deep brain stimulation.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Botulinum toxin is the protein that causes botulism, which is a deadly form of food poisoning. In small amounts, this toxin can be used to block the release of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine communicates messages between the muscles and the brain. According to the Mayo Clinic, when the botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine in the nerve endings, pain and muscle contractions are reduced. Small amounts of botulinum toxin are injected into the muscle that spasms. The toxin does not paralyze the muscle, but weakens it. This allows the muscle to assume a more natural state, which eases any pain that has occurred due to prolonged muscle contracting.
