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Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder which occurs in individuals who have taken medications prescribed for the treatment of mental, stomach or nervous system disorders. It’s most common in those who have taken antipsychotic or neuroleptic medications long-term or in high doses for the treatment of schizophrenia.
Neuroleptic drugs can cause oversensitivity to dopamine in certain receptors in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate behavior, sleep, mood, and attention, among other things.
Signs of tardive dyskinesia involve the involuntary movement of the limbs, torso, face, jaw, or fingers, including:
Tardive dyskinesia is hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and Tourette syndrome. In addition, treatment for these disorders often includes the prescription of antipsychotic medications, which are thought to be the cause of tardive dyskinesia.
To diagnose tardive dyskinesia, your doctor will likely:
It is important to let your doctor know:
Since symptoms come and go over time, it may be difficult for your doctor to diagnose the condition with certainty. However, if you suspect you may have it, you should see your doctor right away.
There are several treatments available for tardive dyskinesia, though no cure. Reducing or stopping medication once a diagnosis is given can make symptoms lessen or disappear, though doctors are unsure whether taking short breaks from medications associated with tardive dyskinesia will help alleviate symptoms of the condition or make them worse. This is because sometimes symptoms become more noticeable when the patient has stopped taking their medication. If it’s not possible to stop taking the medication, short-term use at the lowest possible dosage can help alleviate some symptoms.
The following drugs have been used to treat the condition:
In addition, adequate rest and exercise have been shown to minimize symptoms.
For more information on defective drug diagnosis contact a tardive dyskinesia attorney today.
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