Identifying Movement Disorders on the Central Coast
Your body moves thanks to a control center. This control center, called your nervous system, includes your brain, your spinal cord, and nerves located throughout your body.
A movement disorder is marked by uncontrolled or unwanted physical movements It is the result of problems with your nervous system or muscles coordinated by your nervous system. Your Dignity Health Central Coast neurologist can work with you to diagnose a movement disorder — offering personal care with humankindness each step of the way.
Find a Doctor today to learn more about diagnosing a neurological movement disorder in on the Central Coast.
Exploring Movement Disorder Symptoms at Dignity Health Central Coast
The term “movement disorder” covers more than a dozen conditions, including:
Generally speaking, movement disorder symptoms include:
- Episodes of uncontrolled movements, such as seizures
- Challenges with physical coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Twitching or muscle spasm
- Difficulty walking
The underlying cause of a movement disorder leads to its particular symptoms. You may have heard that hand tremors are signs of Parkinson’s disease or that balance challenges signal multiple sclerosis. Dignity Health Central Coast neurological doctors can help you better understand your neurological condition for your peace of mind and well-being.
Movement Disorder Causes
There are circumstances in which medications have an impact on the nervous system, resulting in symptoms that appear to be movement disorder signs. In most cases, changing medication, or altering the dosage, will reverse these signs.
Some movement disorders, such as Huntington’s disease, are genetic. This means they can be inherited from a parent through an abnormal gene. Researchers don’t understand why other movement disorders happen. It’s possible that movement disorders are the result of autoimmune diseases, infection, or nervous system injury.
At Dignity Health Central Coast, we will explore possible causes of your movement disorder to develop a personalized treatment plan that’s right for you.
Treatment of Movement Disorders
With such a wide range of causes and symptoms, treatment of movement disorders depends on the specific condition. Treatment typically involves:
- Improving quality of life
- Controlling muscle movements
- Slowing the progression of the disorder
Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and medication can help movement disorders. For some movement disorders, possible treatment includes surgery.
Contact us to work with a Dignity Health Central Coast doctor who treats movement disorders with a philosophy of care, dignity, and respect.
Our Dignity Health experts diagnose and treat neurological conditions, including movement disorders, throughout the Central Coast of California.
