Dystonia is a cousin of Parkinson
 

So, from my understanding Dystonia is related to Parkinson. Im just wondering why its not in the same section as Parkinson. It is a movement disorder, but has some significant characteristics similar to parkinson...just a question and I was wondering if im alone here

2bluetoday,

My understanding is that Dystonia is also a disease that can stand alone. Muscle contractions and twisting movements are the primary symptoms. And, I believe this disease alone is usually caused by factors other than neurological, things that have happened to that person to cause the disease.
People with Parkinson's can get dystonia as a result of having tense and contracting muscles.
I have dystonia in my neck because of Parkinson's. My neck muscles and throat muscles contract and it is very painful. I also have it in my shoulder and one foot. It also makes the muscles very weak.

Are you a PWP?

Tonya

Dystonia is a broad range of movement disorders. Dopa-responsive dystonia is one category that is very similar to Parkinsonism. This is what my son is diagnosed with. The main difference, from what I understand, is that dopa-responsive dystonia is generally progressive to a point and then levels off. Parkinsonism is a continually progressive, degenerative disease. Both are treated with the same medication. It's the prognosis that differs.

Dystonia is involuntary muscle contractions; the movements/termors/spasms can be so small as to be unnoticeable, and at this level cause no harm, except perhaps wee embarrassment if others notice. Dystonia is related to Parkinson's as a human fingernail is related to a cat's claw-- they're made out of the same material, but Parkinsons's always a very serious condition, whereas dystonia may be merely an occasional irritation.

Now I'm not making light of your affliction. Dystonia can be severe, and be screaming for medical intervention. It can affect just the face ; just the neck (in a condition called torticollis); just one hand. It can flare up for no reason, and also for no reason go away and never occur again. Like Parkinson's, it appears to develop due to a problem with dopamine uptake and/or production. Dystonia isn't considered a sure-thing precursor to Parkinson disease. I think that's why moderators don't lump dystonia in the same section with Parkinson.

Like Parkinson's, massage therapy won't cure dystonia, but it can provide a level of comfort without danger of making the condition worse.

I have dystonia
 

It is a serious muscle disorder, I didn't wanta make any comparison, to parkinson thought it should stand on its own too. I don't take light of it though. It can affect any muscle group. People have to be on respirators in extreme cases, cause of breathing, and the coordination can put you into wheel chairs. Our muscles are amazing and complicated and its communication between the brain and the muscle. It does worry me, and that may sound selfish, but its life impacting, and likely not to go away.

Dystonia is related to many things such as diseases (not just parkinsons), medications. Dystonia is also a stand alone disorder.

Information about Dystonia:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/d..._dystonias.htm

If you want to know more about dystonia, Parkinson's or other movement disorders, wemove.org is a great source of info.

The difference between the two is very complicated. It doesn't have to do with which one is "worse."

Dystonia simply signifies sustained involuntary muscle contractions. It includes a variety of disorders, including genetic diseases as well as a secondary version caused by other problems (stroke, tumor, injury, toxins, drug reaction, etc.). Parkinson's is a single disease thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. (Dystonia can be a secondary effect of Parkinson's if Parkisnon's is untreated.)

Dystonia can affect the whole body (generalized dystonia) or may affect one or more individual parts of the body. It can range from a minor annoyance to paralysis to a life threatening condition (not being able to breathe, for instance). The prognosis varies from complete remission to complete debilitation and death, with most people stabilizing long-term, not getting better or worse.

Dystonia is a cousin to Parkinson's