Ask the Doctor: Torticollis Can Twist Head, Neck
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 26-year-old grandson has been diagnosed with torticollis.
Please share information about his condition and its treatment. - E.S.
ANSWER: Torticollis is a twisting of the neck.
The head is bent to the side, the front or the back.
It’s one of the dystonia illnesses. Dystonias are a group of illnesses where involuntary and forceful muscle contractions contort body parts into sometimes painful and always abnormal postures.
Your grandson’s dystonia is limited to his neck muscles.
The cause of most dystonias is unknown.
However, treatments are available.
Injections of Botox into the contracting muscles can relax them for months at a time.
Baclofen and clonazepam are examples of oral medicines that might stop the contractions.
There are others.
Deep brain stimulation, sometimes used for Parkinson’s disease, is another treatment.
Selective surgery is another way to free a person from the grasp of dystonia.
Dystonias are more common than readers realize.
Eyelid dystonia - blepharospasm - causes constant blinking to the point that, at times, a person is virtually blind.
Musicians have had to contend with dystonias of the hands and fingers that have put their careers in jeopardy.
Your grandson will do himself a huge favor by contacting Spasmodic Torticollis/Dystonia.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In my 39 years of practicing dentistry, I have seen many patients - including my wife - who are able to avoid aphthous mouth ulcers (canker sores) by not using toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulfate.
Most major brands contain it. With a little searching, people can find brands that do not. - J.F.B, DDS
ANSWER: Thank you so much, doctor.
Readers and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to write.
Those suffering from canker sores will appreciate your words even more.
Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.