Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a focal dystonia characterized by neck muscles contracting involuntarily, causing abnormal movements and awkward posture of the head and neck. The movements may be sustained (�tonic�), jerky (�clonic�), or a combination. Spasms in the muscles or pinched nerves in the neck can result in considerable pain and discomfort. Cervical dystonia may be primary or secondary.

Terms used to describe cervical dystonia include: spasmodic torticollis, torticollis, adult onset focal dystonia. Specific words may be used to describe the position of the neck: laterocollis (head tilts to side); retrocollis (head tilts back), anterocollis (head tilts forward).

Symptoms
In cervical dystonia, the neck muscles contract involuntarily. If the contractions are sustained, they may cause abnormal posture of the head and neck. If the spasms are periodic or patterned, they may produce jerky head movements. The severity of cervical dystonia varies from mild to severe. Movements are often partially relieved by a �sensory trick� (also known as geste antagoniste) such as gently touching the chin, other areas of the face, or back of the head.

Cervical dystonia may begin in the neck and spread into the shoulders, but the symptoms usually plateau and remain stable within five years of onset. This form of focal dystonia is unlikely to spread beyond the neck and shoulders or become generalized dystonia. Occasionally, people with cervical dystonia develop other focal dystonias.

Cause
Cervical dystonia may be primary (meaning that it is the only apparent neurological disorder, with or without a family history) or be brought about by secondary causes such as physical trauma. Cases of inherited cervical dystonia may occur in conjunction with early-onset generalized dystonia, which is associated with the DYT1 gene.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cervical dystonia is based on information from the affected individual and the physical and neurological examination. At this time, there is no test to confirm diagnosis of cervical dystonia, and in most cases assorted laboratory tests are normal.

Cervical dystonia should not be confused with other conditions which cause a twisted neck such as local orthopedic or congenital problems of the neck, or ophthalmologic conditions where the head tilts to compensate for impaired vision. It is sometimes misdiagnosed as stiff neck, arthritis, or wryneck.

Treatment
One of the most effective treatments for cervical dystonia is regular botulinum toxin injections to the affected muscles. A multitude of oral medications have demonstrated some benefit. The categories of drugs reported to help relieve the symptoms associated with cervical dystonia include anticholinergic drugs such as Artane �(trihexyphenidyl) and Cogentin� (benztropine); dopaninergic drugs such as Sinemet� or Madopar� (levodopa), Parlodel� (bromocriptine), and Symmetrel� (amantadine); and GABAergic drugs such as Valium� (diazepam).

Selective denervation surgery is an option for some cervical dystonia patients, and deep brain stimulation surgery is beginning to be explored for cervical dystonia as well.

Gentle physical therapy with a physical therapist who specializes in neurological disorders may improve range of motion and help reduce pain.

Complementary therapies should be explored and regular relaxation practices may significantly benefit discomfort and pain.

Source: http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/more_info___cervical_dystonia_spasmodic_torticollis/46.php from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.  To Donate to the DMRF, click here

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Glenn Beck is an interesting man; while I do not agree fully with the verve and vigor of his belief, he is a master of packaging the common knowledge available to all but known by few.  One of the packages he has assembled is ‘e4′ – the four “E”s are Enlightenment, Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship.  There are some elements he has posted on his website (sorry for the shouting; direct cut/paste from his site) ; http://www.glennbeck.com/2011/11/01/solutions-organized-by-the-e4-solution/

Solutions organized by the ‘e4′ solution

Tuesday, Nov 1, 2011 at 6:36 PM EST

A few days ago Glenn did a GBTV show on solutions – and now he has organized the things you can do into categories based on his ‘e4′ solution.
 
E1 – ENLIGHTENMENT
 TRADITIONS
 PRESERVE WHAT IS IMPORTANT. SHED ALL OTHERS. CONSERVE AND
 PRESERVE. RECLAIM AND RESTORE
 LIVE NEAR LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. (TEXAS, MOUNTAINS OR WHERE GOD IS)
 IF YOU CANNOT MOVE (NO PLACE WILL BE UNTOUCHED) CREATE A NETWORK
 DO NOT PLAN YOUR LIFE AND THEN MOVE. PLAN, LISTEN AND OBEY
 PRACTICE AT LEAST FRANKLIN’S AMERICAN RELIGION
 HONOR ALL OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS
 PRESERVE – FOOD, TIME, MONEY, ENERGY
 TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE BASICS. VALUES/PRINCIPLES
 DO WITH LESS NOW. LESS OF A SHOCK IF IT COMES LATER
 SERVE/SHARE
 JOIN A 9.12 GROUP. LINK ON-LINE. BUT HAVE PHONE NUMBERS AND MEETING LOCATIONS
 HAVE A MEETING PLACE ESTABLISHED FOR FAMILY
 READ THE BIBLE
 
E2 – EDUCATION
 APPRENTICESHIPS ARE THE FUTURE.
 DISCUSS THE VALUE OF SCHOOL FOR WHAT YOU CAN EARN.
 DO NOT LOOK FOR LABELS THEY WILL BECOME MEANINGLESS (IVY LEAGUE)
 FIND OTHER FORMS OF SCHOOL (ON-LINE)
 TEACH YOUNG CHILDREN NOW THAT COLLEGE IS NOT A GIVEN
 DEMAND MERIT FROM SCHOOL AND STUDENT OR PULL YOUR TIME AND MONEY
 EDUCATE YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES. ALWAYS READ.
 HAVE A HARD COPY OF IMPORTANT BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS
 LEARN OLD AND OR LOST PRACTICES.
 MENDING/CANNING/FARMING
 LEARN TO FIX AN ENGINE
 RE-LEARN READING A MAP
 KNOW THE NEWS. LIFE CAN CHANGE QUICKLY.
 BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR POSITIONS BY KNOWING THE OTHER SIDE
 KNOW HOW TO LIVE ELECTRONICS FREE
 HAVE PAPER COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
 KNOW WHERE YOUR DEEDS ARE. TAKE THEM IN EMERGENCY
 TEACH CHILDREN WORK ETHIC
 TOLERATE NOTHING THAT YOU FEEL IS WRONG BY REMAINING SILENT
 LET YOUR CHILDREN SEE YOU STAND
 
E3 – EMPOWERMENT
 MONEY -
 GOLD, FOOD, CIGARETTES, LIQUOR, SUGAR, AMMUNITION, GUNS, SEEDS,
 SKILLS (BARTER) KNOWLEDGE
 HAVE 30 DAYS CASH ON HAND
 BUY A HOUSE
 STOP ALL EXCESS SPENDING. BUY QUALITY ONLY. FORGET FASHION ONLY
 MEASURE TWICE – CUT ONCE. DO NOT WASTE.
 CONSIDER A FUEL EFFICIENT – SUV/TRUCK
 CONSIDER SOMETHING PRIOR TO 1979 FIX YOURSELF
 HAVE A GUN AND KNOW HOW TO SHOOT IT.
 RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE HOLDING YOU BACK
 STOP ALL BEHAVIOR THAT DOES NOT EXPAND YOU OR OTHERS INTO GOOD
 MAKE AMENDS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
 FIND PEACE AND GET TO WORK
 UNDERSTAND THAT ANGER IS A PART OF LIFE BUT NEVER FEED IT
 THE FIRST LOOK IS NOT A PROBLEM. IT IS THE SECOND LOOK.
 NEVER BE THE BEST MAN/WOMAN IN THE ROOM.
 BE HAPPY AND OPTIMISTIC. LIFE WILL GO ON. MAKE PLANS FOR THE
 FUTURE. GET MARRIED. HAVE CHILDREN.
 
E4 – ENTREPRENEURSHIP
 BUY FARM LAND GROW YOUR OWN FOOD.
 LIVE NEAR PEOPLE AND BEGIN TO MAKE ALLIANCES OF SKILLS (BARTER) LIVE NEAR FARM LAND
 BUSINESS/WORK: BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. BE THE ONE EMPLOYEE NO ONE CAN FIRE
 SMALL BUSINESS: BE THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE NO ONE CAN CANCEL
 CONSERVE AND PRESERVE
 LEARN FROM THE DEPRESSION -
 ADVERTISE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS (CHEVROLET)
 STAY IN BUSINESS BUT DOWNSIZE AND PRESERVE
 HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND CHARITY.
 BE GEORGE BAILEY
 SPIT YOURSELF OUT OF THE SYSTEM. TURN UPSIDE DOWN NOW
 PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS
 DO BUSINESS IN SYMBIOTIC WAYS – WE NEED EACH OTHER
 DO NOT TRY TO PUT OTHERS OUT OF BUSINESS, LET THEM DO IT.
 (GIMBLES AND MACYS)
 NEVER BE THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE ROOM
 TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES THE BEST YOU CAN.
 TAKE LESS AND GIVE MORE
 READ FRANKLIN AND WASHINGTON
 BE HONORABLE IN ALL OF YOUR DEALINGS

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The Science Of Victimization.