Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia (pronounced: tar-dive dis-ki-nee-zha) is a medical condition characterized by involuntary movements, most often affecting the face. The term is derived from the Greek words "tardive" meaning late and "dyskinesia" meaning bad movement.

Etymology

The term "Tardive Dyskinesia" is derived from the Greek words "tardive" meaning late and "dyskinesia" meaning bad movement. The term was first used in the 1960s to describe the delayed onset of involuntary movements in patients who had been treated with antipsychotic medications for a long period.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of Tardive Dyskinesia is involuntary movements, most often affecting the face. These movements can include grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. The symptoms are often worse with stress and better during sleep.

Causes

Tardive Dyskinesia is caused by long-term use of neuroleptic drugs, which are used to treat psychiatric disorders. These drugs block the action of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that controls movement.

Treatment

Treatment for Tardive Dyskinesia is primarily aimed at reducing symptoms. This may include reducing the dose of the neuroleptic drug or switching to a different medication. In some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines, beta blockers, or botulinum toxin injections may be used to help control symptoms.

Related Terms

• Neuroleptic drugs
• Dopamine
• Benzodiazepines
• Beta blockers
• Botulinum toxin

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Tardive Dyskinesia
• Wikipedia's article - Tardive Dyskinesia

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