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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffDepending on the type of dystonia, you may experience complications, such as:
- Permanent physical deformities
- Physical disabilities that can affect your ability to perform day-to-day activities
- Functional blindness from dystonia that affects the eyelids (blepharospasm)
- A hoarse voice from dystonia of the vocal cords (spasmodic dysphonia)
- Social misunderstanding, because some people suspect that mental illness or mental retardation is the cause of disordered movement.
- Pain and fatigue, because the constant contraction of muscles is somewhat like a sustained workout.
All of these factors may lead to feelings of frustration, depression or anxiety.
References
- Dystonias fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dystonias/detail_dystonias.htm. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Tarsy D, et al. Dystonia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2006;355:818.
- Comella C. Treatment of dystonia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Schwarz CS, et al. Genetics and treatment of dystonia. Neurologic Clinics. 2009;27:697.
- Dystonias. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch221/ch221c.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Ropper AH, et al. Abnormalities of movement and posture caused by disease of the basal ganglia. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3630437. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Complementary therapy. Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/complementary_therapy/156.php. Accessed Jan. 22, 2010.
- Ahlskog EJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 27, 2010.
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