Symptoms & Causes
You may have noticed that your symptoms started in one part of your body and spread to other parts. Most young people with dystonia developgeneralized dystonia, which means that a combination of arms, legs, torso, and neck are affected to some degree. Focal dystonia stays in one part of the body such as the arm or neck. Some people have dystonia just on one side of the body and not the other. This is calledhemidystonia (hemi- meaning “half”). Some people have their dystonia all the time, and for some people it comes and goes. When the dystonia comes and goes, it may be referred to as paroxysmal dystonia or paroxysmal
Teens with dystonia are just as intelligent as other kids.
dyskinesias (paroxysmal meaning it comes and goes, and dystonia or dyskinesias referring to movement).
The dystonia may be severe or mild. No matter what dystonia does to your body, it does not affect your intelligence, memory, or your ability to think.
Even expert dystonia doctors are not entirely sure what causes dystonia. Some people get dystonia because they inherit it genetically from their parents or ancestors—just like they inherit the color of their eyes or the shape of their feet. For some people, it is a surprise that happens to them and no one else in the family. Some people get dystonia from a trauma, such as a serious accident or head injury, or as a side effect of taking certain medications used to treat mental illness and profound nausea. Sometimes people with diseases like cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis also have dystonia.
The dystonia may be severe or mild. No matter what dystonia does to your body, it does not affect your intelligence, memory, or your ability to think.
Even expert dystonia doctors are not entirely sure what causes dystonia. Some people get dystonia because they inherit it genetically from their parents or ancestors—just like they inherit the color of their eyes or the shape of their feet. For some people, it is a surprise that happens to them and no one else in the family. Some people get dystonia from a trauma, such as a serious accident or head injury, or as a side effect of taking certain medications used to treat mental illness and profound nausea. Sometimes people with diseases like cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis also have dystonia.
Email this page
Print this page