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Overview
Types of
Symptoms
Medications
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Conditions
Movement disorder
Dystonia

Dystonia

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A condition characterized by persistent or intermittent muscle contractions that cause abnormal, often repetitive, movements, postures, or both. The movements are usually patterned and twisting, and may resemble tremors.

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this

39 year experience in Internal Medicine

Is a type of:

Movement disorder

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common it is:

Rare
Baby
0-2
Preteen
6-13
Common
Teenager
14-18
Common
Young adult
19-40
Common
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Common

How it can usually be treated?

Incurable but treatment can help

How is it usually diagnosed?

Requires diagnosis by a medical professional

Types of

Torticollis
Condition
Acquired torticollis
Condition

Symptoms

Muscle pain
Stomach cramps
Spasticity
Aching muscles
Cramping in lower abdomen
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Dystonia
Benztropine
3.3
15 reviews
Diphenhydramine
3.2
25 reviews
Levodopa
Antispasmodic
Cogentin

Procedures

Ratings show how effective doctors think these procedures are at treating Dystonia

Surgery

Deep brain stimulation
3.1
14 reviews
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation
2.1
13 reviews

Other treatments

Speech therapy
Physical therapy

Tests

24 hour urine copper
Ceruloplasmin

Related questions

A 21-year old asked:

What is dystonia?

4 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Who gets dystonia?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Is dystonia painful?

2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old asked:

What is ego-dystonia?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

Symptoms of dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

What causes dystonia?

3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

How is dystonia treated?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 53-year old asked:

What is "axial dystonia"?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Can you die from dystonia?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

What are the tests for dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

Which drugs make dystonia worse?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

What sort of disorder is dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

How can I cure and treat dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 22-year old asked:

Does dystonia get worse over time?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

How long does dystonia usually last?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Are medications used to treat dystonia?

2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

What are the best ways to cure dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 54-year old female asked:

Can dystonia be cured? How is it diagnosed?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

What is the probability inheirting dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

How do I find support in dealing with dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 18-year old male asked:

Im suffering from dystonia, whether it be cured ?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 24-year old female asked:

What is differences between mioclony and dystonia?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A female asked:

Im not from d us but I need a consult on dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 33-year old male asked:

What is the definition or description of: Dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 8 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

How common is it for a person to suffer from dystonia?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

Someone explain to me what the symptoms of dystonia are?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Can dystonia come about overnight? Are there any warning signs?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 24-year old female asked:

What is the difference between dystonia and generalized spasms?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

Anyone knows if the segawa dystonia can show up at the first year of age?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

What to do if I have dystonia and wonder if anyone else has this condition?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

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