Understanding Dystonia and Deep Brain Stimulation: A Ray of Hope
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Dr. Sagar Betai As a neurosurgeon practicing in India, I frequently encounter patients struggling with dystonia - a condition that many people haven't heard of, yet it significantly impacts the lives of those affected. Today, I want to share some insights about dystonia and discuss how advanced treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) are offering new hope to patients. What is Dystonia? Imagine your muscles having a mind of their own - contracting involuntarily, causing repetitive movements or abnormal postures. That's dystonia for you. It's actually the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. While some patients experience symptoms in just one part of their body (focal dystonia), others may have multiple areas affected. The Challenge of Living with Dystonia One of my patients, a professional musician, developed hand dystonia that made it impossible for him to play his instrument. Another patient, a young IT professi...