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  • mouth-tongue-and-jaw-dystonia
  1. About dystonia
  2. Types of dystonia
  3. Mouth, tongue and jaw dystonia

Mouth, tongue and jaw dystonia

Other names: Oromandibular dystonia

Type: Focal

Oromandibular dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterised by continuous or intermittent muscle contractions which cause abnormal, often painful, repetitive movements in the mouth, tongue and/or jaw. The movements can happen at rest, but often happen when people are using their mouths e.g. talking or eating.

Oromandibular dystonia can be experienced together with eye dystonia (blepharospasm). The medical term for this is Meige syndrome. Although oromandibular dystonia most commonly develops following spread of dystonia from the neck or eyes, it can also appear in isolation. Where the condition comes on in mid-life without obvious cause, it will not usually spread further.

Oromandibular dystonia should be diagnosed and treated by a neurologist specialising in movement disorders.

What are the symptoms?

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Symptoms of oromandibular dystonia include:

  • muscle spasms in the jaw causing the mouth to open or close
  • muscle spasms that pull the mouth or tongue into different positions
  • difficulty opening or closing the mouth
  • difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • tremor
  • pain

Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate the symptoms.

Published: 1st June, 2020

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What are the causes?

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Dystonia is caused by incorrect signals from the brain to the affected body part but the causes for this are not yet fully understood.

Oromandibular dystonia, however, is sometimes caused by previous treatment for conditions including nausea, vertigo, anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression with medicines that work by blocking the chemical dopamine in the brain. Typically, this results in being affected in more than one place in the body. Another name for dystonia caused in this way is tardive dystonia.

Published: 3rd June, 2020

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What are the common treatments?

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  • Botulinum toxin injections
  • Oral medication

Published: 4th June, 2020

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How will it affect my life?

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You may need to find ways to adapt and might have to learn new ways to complete everyday tasks. However, it is possible to live well with the condition and Dystonia UK is here to support you through all stages including initial onset, diagnosis, finding treatment and beyond.

You may find these coping techniques helpful:

  • Sensory tricks, such as chewing gum.

Published: 5th June, 2020

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Published: 6th June, 2020

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