Movement Disorders Specialist
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Parkinson's, Restless Legs & Movement Disorder Specialists, PLLC
Subhashie Wijemanne, MD
Movement Disorder Specialist located in Austin, TX
Movement disorders are caused by problems with your neurological system. More than a dozen of these disorders exist. They affect your voluntary and involuntary movements, interfering with your quality of life. Board-certified neurologist Subhashie Wijemanne, MD, at her practice Parkinson’s, Restless Legs and Movement Disorders Specialists, PLLC, in Austin, Texas, evaluates and treats movement disorders. The treatment reduces your symptoms and improves your daily function and feel. Contact the office or book online for a consultation if you’ve been diagnosed with a movement disorder or suspect you might be suffering from one.
Movement Disorders Q&A
What are movement disorders?
Movement disorders are neurological conditions. They affect your body in two ways:
- They can increase abnormal voluntary or involuntary movement
- They can also decrease or slow down voluntary movements
Movement disorders can be caused by genetics, infections, or damage to the spinal cord, brain, or peripheral nerves. Certain metabolic disorders, like mitochondrial cytopathies, organic acidemias, and mineral metabolism and transport disorders, and stroke and vascular disease, can also be blamed. In some people, movement disorders develop after taking certain medications or being exposed to toxins.
What are the types of movement disorders?
Among the many types of movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome are well-known examples. Other common movement disorders include:
Tic disorders
Tics are movements that you can’t control well. Usually, they’re fast, repetitive, and lack rhythm or purpose. Examples of tics include eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, or jerking of the head. Vocal tics include throat clearing and sniffing. Some people have more complex, seemingly purposeful movement tics, like tapping, jumping, or punching.
Tourette syndrome is a recognizable tic disorder usually diagnosed in children aged 4-6. It can be accompanied by anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behavior.
Ataxia
Ataxia is the result of damage to the part of your brain that controls coordinated movement. This results in muscle coordination loss and can cause balance issues and uncoordinated speech or limb movements.
Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition. It gets worse with time, causing uncontrolled movements, a reduced ability to think clearly, and psychiatric disorders.
Movement disorders also include functional movement disorders that resemble those caused by a neurological issue but are caused by something else.
Many other movement disorders exist, so if you or a loved one have unusual movement symptoms, consult Dr. Wijemanne for a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
How are movement disorders treated?
Your treatment plan depends on which disorder you have. Medications can control symptoms or even cure some disorders. But some medications have troublesome side effects. Dr. Wijemanne discusses these side effects before she prescribes the medication.
Behavior therapy can help people with troubling tic disorders that interfere with their daily tasks and social activity.
Some movement disorders get better when the underlying infection or disease is treated. In some cases, movement disorders have been known to mysteriously get better on their own.
Many movement disorders have no cure, but their symptoms can be managed so you can live a higher quality of life regardless.
If you have questions about movement disorders, set up an appointment with Parkinson’s, Restless Legs and Movement Disorders Specialists, PLLC. Call today or book online
