Hyperkinesia

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Hyperkinesia is a medical condition characterized by an excess of movement. It is a symptom rather than a disease and can be caused by a variety of conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and certain types of drug toxicity. Hyperkinesia can manifest in a variety of ways, including tremors, tics, and chorea.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Hyperkinesia can be caused by a variety of conditions. These include:

  • Parkinson's disease: This is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system that primarily affects the motor system. Symptoms generally come on slowly over time and include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with walking.
  • Huntington's disease: This is a genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It has a broad impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, thinking, and psychiatric disorders.
  • Drug toxicity: Certain drugs, particularly those used to treat psychiatric conditions, can cause hyperkinesia as a side effect.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The symptoms of hyperkinesia can vary depending on the underlying cause. They can include:

  • Tremors: These are an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction leading to shaking movements in one or more parts of the body.
  • Tics: These are sudden, rapid, repetitive movements or sounds that people do repeatedly.
  • Chorea: This is characterized by brief, semi-directed, irregular movements that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appear to flow from one muscle to the next.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for hyperkinesia typically involves addressing the underlying cause. This can involve medication, physical therapy, or in some cases, surgery.

See also[edit | edit source]

Hyperkinesia Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD, Dr.T