With the help of the term “movement disorder,” one can distinguish a neurological disorder which mainly affects a person’s ability to coordinate body parts. In particular, these disorders can have an impact on walking, writing and speech resulting in great dependency on others.
What Are Movement Disorders?
Movement disorders are a group of neurological conditions that feature abnormal summation of movements, involuntary physical actions or immobility to movement as a consequence of neural problems. This mostly leads to disruption in a person’s movement, resulting in problems with basic activities, muscle coordination, and balance.
Classified into two main categories:
- Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders: Hyperkinetic Disorders denote hyperactivity and unwarranted stimulating actions such as tremors.
- Hypokinetic Movement Disorders – Moving slowly around an area to identify something or someone, most well-known as walking.
It’s crucial to point out that such disorders cannot be associated with immobility or motionless body parts.
Main Symptoms You May Experience with Movement Disorders
Every type of movement disorder has a different combination of symptoms and varying severity. Some of these symptoms are:
- Involuntary shaking mostly in the hands or head – Tremors
- Muscles being tight or rigid, which limits flexibility – Muscle Stiffness
- Sluggishness when starting movement or slow in completing them – Bradykinesia
- Difficulty with upholding posture leading to frequent falling – Poor Balance
- Twisting, jerking movements or tics – Involuntary Movements
- Steps that are unsteady and dragging or shuffling feet – Changes in Walking (Gait)
- Trouble with writing or some simple tasks, such as buttons – Loss of Coordination
- Soft, slurred and hard to understand speech – Speech Issues
A number of these designate particular movement disorders that can occur in synergetic form and also in an individual manner.
What are the Types of Movement Disorders?
Movement disorders can occur in many different forms. These disorders include, and are not limited to:
- Parkinson’s Disease – Causing tremors and inflexible muscles, it is a progressive disorder that slows movement.
- Essential Tremor – This causes someone’s hands to shake rhythmically.
- Ataxia – This disorder affects balance, walking and speech.
- Dystonia – This disorder causes involuntary muscle contractions, which makes someone move in a repetitive fashion or different posture.
- Huntington’s Disease – This hereditary illness causes involuntary movements with a decline in cognitive function.
- Tourette’s Syndrome – This entails motor and vocal tics, which are done without control.
- Restless Legs Syndrome – This causes someone to have a strong and uncontrollable need to move their legs.
- Tic Disorders – This consists of vocal sounds or non-vocal movements that are made repeatedly and suddenly.
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) – A rare disorder that causes loss of the ability to move and control automatic bodily functions.
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) – This disorder results in imbalance, loss of mobility, and problems with eye movement.
Movement Disorders causes
There exist many reasons that can lead to movement disorders, including:
- Genetics – Huntington’s disease is an example of an inherited disorder.
- Brain Injuries – Traumas such as skull injury or cuts can hinder the control of movement.
- Infections – Certain types of infections related to the brain can cause irregular movements.
- Autoimmune Diseases – Some diseases attack the body and impair the functioning of the immune system.
- Exposure to Toxins – Pesticides, heavy metals, and some drugs can be triggers.
- Side Effects of Medication – Issues with movement may arise from some psychiatric and anti-nausea medications.
- Neurodegenerative Processes: – Diseases such as Parkinson’s are the result of gradual damage to nerve cells.
- Vascular Incidents – Stroke and reduced blood supply to the brain may cause movement disorders.
Movement disorders can be challenging; however, not all of them are treatable. Most of them can be managed. Treatment depends on the specific type of disorder, along with its severity, in addition to the person’s health status. Some of the routine suggested treatments are:
- Medication – For instance, levodopa for Parkinson’s and anticonvulsants for Tremors.
- MRgFUS – MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses focused ultrasound waves to target areas deep in the brain, guided by MRI.
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – This surgical procedure involves placing electrodes into the brain to surgically manage uncontrollable movements.
- Physical Therapy – Works to enhance balance, mobility and strengthen muscles.
- Occupational Therapy – Assist patients with encouraging independence in daily activities.
- Speech Therapy – Aid patients facing difficulty with speaking and swallowing.
- Healthy Lifestyle – Regularly eating healthy meals, exercising, and managing stress can be extremely beneficial.
Movement disorders are complicated and have a profound, chronic effect on managing everyday life activities. The good news is that with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many people can manage their symptoms effectively.
Assembled in advance, through early diagnostics, and a customised strategy designed with the aid of specialist colleagues such as a neurologist, therapist, or psychologist provides significant value. A patient needs help to live as independently and comfortably as possible to provide real value to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to cure movement disorders?
Movement Disorders caused by some infections or toxins can be cured with prompt treatment. Most patients, however, face the reality of living with neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson’s, using the available means. Nonetheless, there are ways to relieve symptoms and enhance well-being and quality of life.
- How is movement disorder managed?
Management of movement disorders is done based on the type and severity of the condition. It could involve the use of drugs, physiotherapy, surgery through MRgFUS, deep brain stimulation & occupational therapy. Alongside these primary approaches, lifestyle modifications and complementary strategies can help.
