Hyperkinesia

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

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

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

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

See also

• Hypokinesia
• Dyskinesia
• Akinesia

Hyperkinesia Resources
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