*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Dystonia

Check if you have dystonia

Dystonia can affect your whole body or just 1 part. It can start at any age.

Symptoms of dystonia include:

uncontrolled muscle cramps and spasms
parts of your body twisting into unusual positions - such as your neck being twisted to the side or your feet turning inwards
shaking (tremors)
uncontrolled blinking

The symptoms may be continuous or come and go. They may be triggered by things like stress or certain activities.

Dystonia is uncommon, but it's best to get the symptoms checked out.

If your GP thinks you could have dystonia, they'll refer you to a specialist called a neurologist for tests.

To diagnose dystonia, a neurologist may:

If you're diagnosed with dystonia, your neurologist can tell you which type you have and what your treatment options are.

There are several different types of dystonia, which affect different areas of the body.

Treatment can help relieve the symptoms of dystonia. The best option for you depends on the type of dystonia you have.

The main treatments for dystonia are:

injections of a medicine called botulinum toxin directly into the affected muscles - these need to be repeated about every 3 months
medicine to relax the muscles in a larger part of your body - given as tablets or injections into a vein
a type of surgery called deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is the main type of surgery for dystonia. It may be offered on the NHS if other treatments do not help.

It involves inserting a small device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin of your chest or tummy.

The device sends electrical signals along wires placed in the part of the brain that controls movement.

Dystonia affects people in different ways. The severity of symptoms can vary from one day to another.

It can have a big effect on your life and make daily activities painful and difficult.

It's usually a lifelong condition. It may get worse for a few years but then remain steady. Occasionally, it can improve over time.

You can get support if you live with dystonia from Dystonia UK.

Dystonia is caused by a problem with the part of the brain that controls movement.

Often it's not known why this happens.

Sometimes it can be due to:

an inherited genetic problem
a side effect of certain medicines, such as antipsychotic medicines and anti-sickness medicines
Parkinson's disease
a stroke
cerebral palsy
multiple sclerosis

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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