DYSTONIA DIARIES - FROM DR. BETAI'S DESK

  Dr. Sagar Betai As a neurosurgeon, I've seen firsthand the devastating impact that dystonia can have on patients' lives. This neurological movement disorder, which causes involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal postures, affects millions of Indians - including far too many who suffer in silence, unable to access the care they need. For the past decade, I've made it my mission to change that. To bring hope and healing to the dystonia community in India by pioneering cutting-edge treatments and making them accessible to all who need them. It's been a long and challenging journey, but one I wouldn't trade for anything. Because every patient I treat, every life I help transform, reminds me why this work matters so deeply. A Personal Mission My journey began over ten years ago, when I first encountered patients struggling with dystonia in my Ahmedabad clinic. I was struck by their resilience in the face of such a debilitating condition - the way they fought each d...

Dr. Sagar Betai Do your hands ever shake when you're trying to do something precise, like thread a needle or sign your name? For most of us, a little trembling here and there is no big deal. But for the millions of Indians living with essential tremor , those shakes can make even simple tasks feel impossible. What is Essential Tremor? Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder that causes rhythmic shaking, usually in the hands, arms, head, voice, or legs. It's often confused with Parkinson's disease, but they're actually quite different. While Parkinson's tremors usually happen when the body is at rest, essential tremors fire up when you try to do something, like lift a glass of water or tie your shoelaces. ET isn't life-threatening on its own, but it can seriously impact quality of life. Imagine trying to eat soup with a shaky spoon, or sign a check with wobbly hands. For some, the tremors are so severe that they can barely write, use a phone, or ...

  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...