What Is Chronic Movement Disorder?

Movement disorders are a term used for a group of conditions that are neurological in nature.¹ These conditions cause increased movements that are abnormal. The movements may be voluntary or involuntary. These disorders can also lead to slow or reduced movements. The word chronic means diseases that are long standing or constantly recurring. Chronic movement disorders are those that are long standing or constantly recurring.

Chronic movement disorders are long standing disorders of various types, which are neurological conditions. Different movement disorders present with different symptoms. In order to obtain relief from the symptoms of these disorders, it is essential to establish a correct diagnosis and begin an efficient treatment.

Different Types Of Movement Disorders

Some common types of movement disorders are-

Ataxia–

This movement disorder affects the cerebellum²
Cerebellum is that part of the brain which controls coordinated movements
Ataxia causes clumsy or uncoordinated movements of speech or limbs
It may also cause an uncoordinated balance and many other symptoms

Cervical dystonia–

In this condition, there are spasms or longstanding contractions of the neck muscles³
This causes the neck to move in different ways

Dystonia–

In this condition, there are repetitive movements like involuntary muscle contractions and twisting
This condition may be seen causing an effect on the entire body which is known as generalized dystonia or only one part of the body, known as focal dystonia

Chorea–

This condition characteristically involves the face, mouth, limbs and trunk
There is a typical brief, irregular, somewhat quick, involuntary and repetitive movements of these body parts

Functional movement disorder-

This condition is not due to any neurological factors but, it may resemble any kind of movement disorder

Multiple system atrophy–

This condition affects many brain systems
Multiple system atrophy is responsible for causing a movement disorder like parkinsonism or ataxia
It may cause low blood pressure and defective bladder function
It is a very uncommon type of neurological disorder which is progressive in nature

Huntington’s disease–

This is an inherited kind of neurological disorder
It is a neurodegenerative disorder, that is progressive in nature
It causes chorea, that is uncontrolled movements, defective cognitive functions and psychiatric problems

Myoclonus–

This condition is responsible for quick, rapid jerks of one muscle or a group of muscles ⁴

Progressive supranuclear palsy-

It is a very rare type of neurological disorder
It causes difficulties with walking, eye movements and balance
It may seem like Parkinson’s disease, but it is a very different disorder

Parkinson’s disease–

This is a disease that progresses slowly
It is a neurodegenerative disorder
It causes tremors, rigidity or stiffness, bradykinesia- slow reduced movements or imbalance
It may even lead to some other symptoms that may be not related to movements

Parkinsonism–

Parkinsonism is a group of conditions which shows symptoms that are similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease

Restless legs syndrome–

This is a movement disorder which causes some abnormal or unpleasant feelings or sensations the legs while you are lying down or relaxing
These sensations often seem to be relieved by making movement, hence the name- restless legs syndrome

Tardive dyskinesia–

A long-term use of some specific drugs is responsible for the development of this condition
These drugs are the ones used in the treatment of psychiatric conditions, also known as neuroleptic drugs
This condition is responsible for causing involuntary and repetitive movements like blinking of eye, grimacing and other movements

Tourette syndrome–

This neurological condition begins between childhood and teen years
It is related to repetitive movements known as motor tics and vocal sounds known as vocal tics

Wilson’s disease–

This is an inherited type of disorder which is rare in nature
It leads to an excessive quantity of copper build up in the body which causes neurological conditions

Tremors–

This disease causes a rhythmic shaking of various parts of the body
The shaking is involuntary
The commonest type of tremor is essential tremor.

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What Is Chronic Movement Disorder?