Tardive Dyskinesia Causes And Treatment
January 5, 2010
Tardive dyskinesia is usually the side effect of prolonged consumption of certain medicines. It is characterized by involuntary and repetitive movement of certain muscles of the body. Although, the condition is initiated by certain drugs, but even after stopping the use of these drugs the dyskinesia or abnormal movements of the muscles continue.
Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia causes sudden involuntary movement of voluntary muscles of the body. In the early stage of the disease, the symptoms are mild and often go unnoticed. In the later stage of the disease, the symptoms become prominent, adversely effecting the physical movements of the person.
The symptoms of this condition involve uncontrollable movement of the facial muscles causing blinking, chewing, frowning, smiling and movement of the tongue. As the symptom of tardive dyskinesia progresses, the arm, hand, leg and feet muscles might show involuntary movements. The trunk might move involuntary causing twisting, rocking or jerking. Involuntary movement of the diaphragm might cause speaking difficulties. As the disease becomes severe, the frequency of dyskinesia increases.
Causes of tardive dyskinesia
The exact cause of this condition is unknown. It is believed that certain drugs tend to damage the system responsible for using and processing dopamine.
As a result, the nerves become hypersensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine. A small amount of dopamine is enough to trigger nerve impulses that cause involuntary muscle movements. Antipsychotic drugs used for treating psychological disorders such as schizophrenia are often associated with this disease.
Drugs known as dopamine antagonists, who block dopamine receptors, can trigger this condition. Dopamine antagonists such as metoclopramide, used for treating digestive and gastrointestinal diseases are known to cause tardive dyskinesia.
Nearly 31 percent of tardive dyskinesia cases develop in people above 55, who take drugs associated with tardive dyskinesia for at least three months.
Women, especially elderly women, have a greater risk of developing this disorder. Mental retardation and head injury can increase the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.
Tardive dyskinesia treatment
To treat tardive dyskinesia, your physician might reduce the dose of the medication responsible for this disorder, or he might prescribe a different drug. Medicines that lower the dopamine level are often recommended. Certain drugs used for treating Parkinson’s disease are effective in treating tardive dyskinesia.
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