Musculoskeletal system >>>> Muscular dystonia - what is it?

Muscular dystonia - what is it?

The muscles of the body have a certain tone, which is necessary to maintain the body in various postures and to perform movements. Muscle tension and relaxation are regulated by various parts of the central nervous system. Cases of malfunction of any parts of the central nervous system lead to the failure of muscle tone in its various manifestations: hypertonicity or hypotonia of muscles. Such disorders of muscle tone are called muscular dystonia.

Changes in muscle tone (muscular dystonia) are not a disease, but a symptom that signals the development of various kinds of painful conditions.

Muscular hypotension is characterized by reduced resistance to passive movements. Voluntary and spontaneous movements are limited. Muscle hypotension is more often observed in children (newborns or infants), as well as at any age with paresis of the extremities, multiple sclerosis and in cases of diseases affecting motor neurons. Muscle hypotension, if not a congenital disorder, may be the result of previous infections, toxic damage to the central nervous system, craniocerebral trauma, metabolic disorders.

Muscular hypotonia in children can cause malformed posture and gait disturbance. In addition to impaired motor activity, muscular hypotonia can lead to impaired speech activity, and during the formation of the child's body functions, to a delay in mental development.

Muscular hypertonicity is characterized by muscle tension, decreased range of motion, and thickening of muscle tissue. Muscle hypertonicity can provoke spasms in muscle tissue, manifest in muscle stiffness (movement), muscle stiffness (increased muscle resistance).

Muscular hypertonicity can be the result of damage to the central nervous system (due to anomalies, trauma, toxic damage), vascular diseases. Hypertonia in babies is a common occurrence. Its occurrence can be associated with birth trauma, fetal hypoxia, diseases of the mother suffered during pregnancy, intracranial hemorrhages, congenital lesions of the central nervous system. Hypertonicity of the muscles in a child can be noticed by stiffness, stiffness of movements (for example, clenched fists), not a relaxed state during sleep. With hypertonicity, the child is able to hold his head almost from birth, but this can affect the posture in the future.