Movement Disorders

Movement Disorder Treatment in Hyderabad, India

Movement disorders have become a genuine concern as these affect ease or speed of movement and routine fluency. Most of them are caused due to faulty genes. The most affected areas are the thalamus, ganglia, and globus palladium, which are deep in your brain. 

Movement Disorders Types

We evaluate different movement disorders, including:

• Ataxia: It is a generative disorder that affects the brain stem, brain, and spinal cord. In Ataxia, movements do not appear smooth as they are jerky or disjointed. This may result in inaccuracy, clumsiness, tremor, instability, and lack of coordination when conducting voluntary movements. This may also impact eye movement and speech. 
• Dystonia: Dystonia results from abnormal functionality of the deep brain part, basal ganglia responsible for movement and control coordination. These parts of the brain control fluidity and speed of movement and check on unwanted activities. This occurs due to neurological disorders due to involuntary muscle spasms. Dystonia patients might experience abnormal positions or postures, repetitive motions, and uncontrolled twisting. As per the severity, the condition might be disabling. 
• Essential tremor: People suffering from this problem may experience trembling or shaking that might worsen even basic movements. These are more common in people above 65 years of age. If these tremors are severe, then we also recommend surgery. 
• Spasticity: This disorder is associated with muscle contractions by causing tightness or stiffness. It may interfere with walking, speech, and movement. It is generally caused due to damage in a brain portion or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. It might also result from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and brain damage due to lack of oxygen. 
• Huntington disease: This is a fatal, degenerative and progressive disease that is caused due to particular brain nerve cell deterioration. There is no permanent cure for this disease, so we help patients with preventive medications and reduce the symptoms. 
• Parkinson's disease: It is also a progressive disorder due to nerve cell degeneration in the brain called substantia nigra, which is responsible for controlling movements. These nerve cells get impaired or die while losing the ability to produce a crucial chemical called dopamine. Like other movement disorders, it also causes varied common symptoms such as limb stiffness, muscle rigidity, tremors, smooth movement loss, voice change, and deteriorated facial expression. 
• Rett syndrome: In this progressive neurological disorder, we can notice symptoms like the repetitive movement of hands, less muscle tone, autistic behavior, head growth, and delay in brain activity. The first symptom is always muscle tone loss. 

Symptoms of Movement Disorder

Symptoms of movement disorders can vary depending on the specific condition, but some common symptoms may include:

• Involuntary movements: This can include tremors (shaking), dystonia (abnormal muscle contractions causing repetitive movements or abnormal postures), chorea (jerky, dance-like movements), or athetosis (slow, writhing movements).
• Muscle rigidity: Stiffness or tightness in the muscles, which can make movement difficult or painful.
• Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement, where it may take longer to initiate or complete movements.
• Hypokinesia: Reduced amplitude or range of movement.
• Akinesia: Difficulty initiating movement or complete absence of movement.
• Postural instability: Difficulty maintaining balance or posture, which can increase the risk of falls.
• Gait abnormalities: Changes in walking pattern, such as shuffling steps, freezing of gait, or difficulty with turning.
• Tremors: Involuntary rhythmic shaking of a body part, which can occur at rest or during movement.
• Lack of coordination: Difficulty coordinating movements, resulting in clumsiness or unsteady movements.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak, which can affect physical activity and movement.
• Speech difficulties: Changes in speech patterns, such as slurred speech, stuttering, or difficulty with articulation.
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks: Challenges with tasks requiring precise movements, such as writing, buttoning clothes, or using utensils.

Causes of Movement Disorder 

Movement disorders can have various causes, including:

• Genetic factors: Some movement disorders, such as Huntington's disease or certain types of dystonia, can be inherited due to genetic mutations.
• Neurodegenerative diseases: Conditions like Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy are caused by the gradual degeneration of certain brain regions that control movement.
• Brain injury or trauma: Head injuries, strokes, or other brain injuries can disrupt normal brain function and lead to movement disorders.
• Infections: Certain infections, such as encephalitis or meningitis, can affect the brain and cause movement disorders.
• Medications: Some medications, particularly antipsychotic medications and certain drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders, can cause movement disorders as a side effect.
• Metabolic disorders: Disorders of metabolism, such as Wilson's disease or mitochondrial disorders, can affect the brain and lead to movement abnormalities.
• Toxins and exposure to chemicals: Exposure to certain toxins or chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, lead, or pesticides, can damage the brain and cause movement disorders.
• Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like autoimmune encephalitis or autoimmune movement disorders can occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, including the brain.
• Brain tumors: Tumors in the brain or spinal cord can interfere with normal brain function and cause movement abnormalities.

Evaluation and diagnosis conducted by our healthcare providers

Our doctors listen to you and compile the symptoms. Then, doctors move on to comprehensive physical examination and recommend required diagnostic tests. Once all the tests are done, we map out a plan to support your care and treatment. Once our specialists know your diagnosis, it is time to share everything you need to know, including treatment options. 

When our doctors outline therapy for movement disorders, they suggest it according to the diagnosis and type of disease. 

There are many cases where a complete cure is impossible, so we minimize the symptoms and relieve pain. In progressive and severe cases, the ability of a patient to speak and move is badly impaired. Here, we need your attention to go through the things that we may suggest:

• Occupational and physical therapy to restore or maintain your ability to control movements. 

• Injections help prevent muscle contractions

• Drug therapies are offered to avoid and control the symptoms

• Surgical treatment or deep brain stimulation option stimulates your brain areas to control movements. 

Treatment of Movement Disorder 

Treatment for movement disorders varies depending on the specific type, and while many do not have a cure, the primary aim of treatment is symptom management. However, certain conditions, such as medication-induced parkinsonism, can often be effectively treated.

Various treatments for movement disorders include:

• Medication: There are several medications available to alleviate symptoms associated with movement disorders. For instance, muscle relaxants can aid in managing spasticity, while dopaminergic medications may be beneficial for Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome. Antianxiety medications can also be prescribed to help with dystonia. Additionally, there are medications specifically designed for addressing certain movement disorders.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapy focuses on improving physical movement and functionality. Through tailored exercises and techniques, physical therapists assist individuals in managing symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and discomfort that hinder movement.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy concentrates on enhancing an individual's ability to perform daily activities. Occupational therapists provide guidance on safely standing, sitting, moving, or utilizing various tools to engage in daily tasks effectively.

Why CARE Hospitals for movement disorders treatment? 

Our compassionate and thorough care will help patients gain comfort and feel relief during the treatment. Make an appointment with us today to avail yourself of the multispecialty approach and manage your movement disorders for today as well as for the future.