Guide To The Symptoms Of Dystonia

Exacerbated By Stress Or Fatigue

Individuals with all forms of dystonia might notice their symptoms are exacerbated by stress or fatigue. Fatigue is sometimes worsened by the muscle contractions themselves, and appropriate treatment to reduce contractions could also reduce the patient's fatigue. Doctors recommend that all patients learn and practice appropriate stress management techniques. Engaging in relaxing, enjoyable activities such as yoga, meditation, reading, or listening to music could reduce stress and anxiety, and patients might want to keep a symptom journal that includes any stressful episodes and symptoms experienced.

Joining a support group to connect with other patients could be helpful, and individuals with dystonia who are going through a particularly stressful period may want to seek support from a counselor. Patients should always let their healthcare team know if they experience any changes in their stress or fatigue.

Worsen Over Time

Symptoms of dystonia may stay the same for a long time, however, some patients have reported their symptoms worsen over time. Worsening of symptoms usually occurs with progressive dystonia, an inherited form of the condition. However, patients with other types of dystonia could also develop more severe symptoms over time. Currently, doctors use temporal patterns to predict which patients will experience symptom progression. Temporal patterns consider what time of day the patient's symptoms occur, how long they persist, and if they are related to a specific task.

Potential signs of symptom progression include more frequent episodes of symptoms related to specific tasks, an increase in pain, and additional impairments in movement. Patients with dystonia will have frequent follow-up appointments with their neurologist, and they should always mention any changes in their symptoms. It may be possible to try different treatments to reduce symptom severity and stop symptoms from progressing.