What is Spasticity?
Spasticity is a condition where certain muscles are continuously contracted, leading to stiffness, tightness, or involuntary movements. It happens because of disrupted signals between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles — usually after injuries like stroke, spinal cord injury, or diseases like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
What does one experience in Spasticity?
Spasticity can feel like a constant muscle tightness, like a cramp that doesn't let go. Sometimes the muscle feels very stiff or "locked," and trying to move can be painful or even trigger sudden jerking movements. People often describe it as their muscles "fighting against them" when they try to move.
Treatment Options for Spasticity
As for treatment, it depends on how severe it is:
* Stretching and physical therapy are often the first steps to keep the muscles flexible.
* Medications like baclofen, tizanidine, or Botox injections can help relax the muscles.
* In more serious cases, surgical options like cutting certain nerves or implanting a baclofen pump may be considered.
Managing spasticity is usually about finding a balance — enough muscle tone to stand or move, but not so much that it causes pain or limits function.
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FAQs
What is the difference between a migraine and a tension headache?
Migraines are severe headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, typically affecting one side of the head. Tension headaches cause a dull, aching pain around the forehead or back of the neck and head without the additional symptoms of migraines.
How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed at Florida Neurology?
Alzheimer's is diagnosed using a combination of cognitive assessments, brain imaging (such as MRI or CT scans), blood tests to rule out other conditions, and a neurological exam to assess brain function and symptoms.
What treatment options are available for stroke patients at your Stroke Clinic?
Treatment options include thrombolytic medications (to dissolve clots), endovascular procedures (to remove clots or repair ruptured vessels), blood-thinning medications, and rehabilitation therapy to help patients regain mobility, strength, and cognitive abilities.
What are the early signs of cognitive and memory disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease?
Early signs include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with problem-solving, changes in behavior, trouble with language, and disorientation in familiar settings or with time.
What causes vertigo, and how is it treated?
Vertigo can be caused by inner ear issues, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or vestibular neuritis. Treatment often includes vestibular rehabilitation exercises, medications to reduce dizziness, and in some cases, procedures to reposition inner ear particles.
How can I manage chronic migraines?
Chronic migraines can be managed with prescription medications like triptans, Botox injections, lifestyle changes (avoiding triggers, improving sleep), stress management techniques, and preventive medications to reduce frequency.
What is the process for diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
MS is diagnosed through a neurological exam, MRI to detect lesions in the brain and spinal cord, lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for abnormal immune activity in the cerebrospinal fluid, and evoked potentials to measure nerve function.
What types of headaches do you treat at the Headache & Migraine Clinic?
The clinic treats various types of headaches, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and chronic daily headaches caused by medication overuse or other factors.
What therapies are offered for patients recovering from a stroke?
Stroke recovery includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy to improve strength, coordination, communication, and daily functioning. Medications and lifestyle changes are also incorporated into long-term recovery plans.
How is Bell’s palsy treated, and how long does recovery take?
Treatment for Bell’s palsy often includes corticosteroids to reduce nerve inflammation, antiviral medications if a viral infection is suspected, physical therapy to restore muscle function, and eye protection to prevent damage. Most people recover fully within a few weeks to months.