Understanding Dyskinesia: Causes and Treatment Options
Dyskinesia involves involuntary muscle movements affecting Parkinson’s patients, with symptoms ranging from mild twitching to severe body writhing. Causes include chemical imbalances in the brain, especially dopamine deficiency. Treatment focuses on medication adjustments to control symptoms and improve quality of life as the disease progresses.
Dyskinesia refers to involuntary or abnormal movements that can range from mild to severe. It involves uncontrollable muscle twitching and contractions, which vary among individuals. Some Parkinson’s patients experience only minor muscle struggles, while others endure widespread twitching affecting the entire body. Over time, dyskinesia may worsen as Parkinson’s disease progresses, impacting muscles in the face, limbs, and torso.
What triggers dyskinesia?
The condition is often linked to a deficiency in brain chemicals like dopamine, glutamine, and serotonin—crucial for muscle control. An imbalance in these chemicals, especially dopamine, leads to impaired coordination, tremors, and muscle stiffness observed in Parkinson’s patients.
Since Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, symptoms including dyskinesia tend to worsen over time. Doctors usually prescribe medications like levodopa and entacapone to help manage motor symptoms. However, long-term use of levodopa can escalate dyskinesia symptoms. To address this, physicians might adjust medication doses or add extended-release drugs like amantadine to better balance chemical levels and alleviate discomfort.
