Question 1

what oral medications can help spasmodic torticollis?

Accepted Answer

Spasmodic Torticolli: Anticholinergic agents, baclofen, klonopin, (clonazepam) if detected early. Another older medications are Dopamine blockers, but are out of fashion due to severe side-effects.

Question 2

can drugs cause spasmodic torticollis?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly: There are certain drugs that work by blocking the action of dopamine, most of which are medications to treat psychosis or nausea (haldol, thorazine, phenergan, (promethazine) reglan) that can cause a "dystonic reaction" where the head is pulled involuntarily to one side, which would appear the same as someone with spasmodic torticollis.

Question 3

what is torticollis?

Accepted Answer

See below: Spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia) is a neurological condition which causes involuntary muscle spasms in the neck. The causes include disorders of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and also the peripheral nervous system usually secondary to some type of nerve injury in the neck. The gold standard of treatment for torticollis are botulism toxin injections into the muscles.

Question 4

what causes torticollis to occur?

Accepted Answer

Twist of the neck: Torticollis just means twist of the neck.  At birth a baby can be born with spasm of the neck muscles that causes the neck to twist to one side.  Inflammation of nodes in the neck can produce this later, and damage and contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle will cause the same condition.  Neck injuries may result in the condition, and tumors in the neck and cervical region may produce it.

Question 5

how to know if i have torticollis?

Accepted Answer

Torticollis: Torticollis is due to a stiff or tight neck muscles. With toricollis comes a head tilt, if you do not have a head tilt you do not have torticollis.

Question 6

what are the tests for torticollis?

Accepted Answer

See below: Physical exam. There are no specific tests.

Question 7

what are the symptoms of torticollis?

Accepted Answer

Discomfort: Stiffness and pain in the neck with limited mobility of the neck.

Question 8

can massage help to improve torticollis?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Only real help comes from Botox injections.

Question 9

what are the tests to detect torticollis?

Accepted Answer

As below: Torticollis is diagnosed by history and examination. To detect cause requires testing like x rey, mri, other blood tests, etc.

Question 10

does torticollis usually cause many symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Torticollis is head tilt which could be involuntary movement, muscle spasm, disc disease, or other abnormality of spinal or vertebral column----so symptoms could be pain, numness, even weakness--need in depth evaluation.

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Doctor answers about:

Torticollis medication

A member asked:

What oral medications can help spasmodic torticollis?

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Can drugs cause spasmodic torticollis?

A member asked:

What is torticollis?

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What causes torticollis to occur?

A member asked:

How to know if i have torticollis?

A member asked:

What are the tests for torticollis?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of torticollis?

A member asked:

Can massage help to improve torticollis?

A member asked:

What are the tests to detect torticollis?

A member asked:

Does torticollis usually cause many symptoms?

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