got cervical dystonia?

Cervical dystonia, which is also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a condition that is characterized by uncontrollable contractions of the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head.

Symptoms

These contractions cause abnormal head postures in which the head is turned to one side or tilted forward or backward. In some situations the shoulder is also pulled up. These twisting and turning movements occur involuntarily or when the person is stressed and they are usually painful.

Other symptoms of cervical dystonia include jerking motions of the head, headaches and neck pain that can radiate to the shoulders.

Though the symptoms of cervical dystonia can begin at any age, they most often start between the ages of 40 and 70. Other risk factors associated with developing this condition include being a woman and having a close family member with this or any other type of dystonia.

Cause

The exact cause of cervical dystonia is not known. However, researchers believe that it develops from a problem in the basal ganglia which is the part of the brain that controls movement. Head, neck and shoulder injuries are also linked to this condition. Medications like some antipsychotics and anti-nausea drugs have also been known to trigger torticollis in some people.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests done for cervical dystonia include electromyography (EMG) in which the electrical activity of the muscles in measured. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also done to rule out tumors and strokes.

There is no cure for cervical dystonia but around 10 percent of patients experience spontaneous remission. This remission however may not be permanent.