Can Migraine Lead To Symptoms Of Dystonia? - Dr. Shivam Mittal

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Dystonia is a disorder of the brain that affects
the muscles. The basal ganglia within the brain
send signals to the muscles within the body to
tell them what to do. When this part of the
brain stops functioning, or stops performing
properly, it is characterized by involuntary
muscle contractions that cause slow repetitive
movements or abnormal postures. This kind of
disorder could affect only a single muscle, a
group of muscles, or muscles throughout the
body. Depending upon this, the movements could be
painful, uncomfortable, and embarrassing too.
Dystonia can be of varied types. Some of these
types are genetic, but the cause for majority of
the dystonia types is yet unknown. 15 genes have
been researched to cause dystonia, but the
research is still on. Then, there are certain
medicines that may also cause dystonia as a form
of side-effects. For example, certain medications
that are given to migraine patients could have
dystonia as a side-effect. It is difficult to
treat migraine without using these medications,
which makes dystonia an important consideration
for both patients and physicians. Headache
specialists are finding un-diagnosed cases of
dystonia in the migraine population, making the
condition more important to look out for. In
fact, the 2011 Scottsdale Headache Symposium
specifically addressed dystonia in migraine
patients, particudarly the identification of
patients requiring further evaluation and
possible treatment for their co- morbid
condition. One of the most common types of
dystonia found in migraine patients is
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• cervical dystonia (also called torticollis). This
  kind of dystonia involves one or more of the
  muscles of the cervical spine, neck, chest, and
  shoulders.
• Looking at this unfortunate play of disorders,
  doctors have researched that the use of
  injectable toxins like Botox for chronic migraine
  may help dystonia patients who remain
  undiagnosed. However, appropriate diagnosis of
  this co-morbid condition would assure that the
  patients receive appropriate treatment, including
  additional or different specific injections for
  dystonia, or other additional treatments. If
  Botox seems to be ineffective for their spasms,
  other toxins have also been approved.
• Whatever the case, whether you are a patient
  solely of dystonia, or whether you have
  encountered dystonia through other ailments or
  medications, you need to immediately approach a
  specialist like Dr. Shivam Mittal to get the
  finest and fastest dystonia treatment in
  Bangalore. Depending upon your condition and
  health, you will be prescribed any of the three
  options medications, injections, or surgery.
• Medications like Levadopa or Carbidopa can
  eliminate symptoms of dystonia as long as they
  are taken thus not a permanent solution, but
  definitely a life-enhancing one.
• Injections like Botox can be given to the patient
  into the nerves that cause involuntary
• contractions of the muscles, which can bring
  relief for a period of 3-6 months, after which
  the patient will again have to be injected with
  the drug.
• The last retort to curing dystonia is Deep Brain
  Stimulation surgery, wherein electrodes are
  inserted into the brain, connected to a
  neurotransmitter installed within the chest,
  which
• controls the movement of muscles.
• And, all of this is combined with certain
  massages and therapies that can relax the muscles
  and keep the patient comfortable.

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