RSS
Home
Is there a Dystonia and flu shot connection? Facts and causes of Dystonia
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Did the flu shot cause Jennings to get Dystonia? (AP)
All of us want to make the right choices regarding our family’s heath. And one choice we are faced with is whether or not to have our family immunized against the flu.
Ever since the video of Desiree Jennings hit the net, many have wondered if the video (and claim) is true or not. The cheerleader alleges she came down with the Dystonia because she got a flu shot.
There have never been any other cases reported with such a claim nor has this one been specifically linked to her flu vaccination.
It is hard to know what caused Jennings to come down with Dystonia (which her Doctor agrees she has) because we know so little about the disorder. And since her claim could cause people worldwide to avoid getting immunized, it could have a very negative global effect.
Before anyone blindly believes that the flu shot did cause Jennings to get the disorder or that Dystonia cannot be caused by the flu shot it would behoove everyone to get some facts on what Dystonia is and what the causes are.
What is Dystonia
Below are two explanations of what Dystonia is from two websites. The first one is from the Dystonia Foundation which is a informative site filled with facts on the disorder and the second one contains a more detailed definition.
Dystonia Foundation.org
“Dystonic movements are typically patterned and repetitive, causing twisting movements and abnormal postures. Dystonia occurs when opposing muscles are contracting simultaneously.
The activation of these muscles may "overflow" to other muscle groups unintentionally”.
Medicine Net
“The dystonias are movement disorders in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures.
The movements, which are involuntary and sometimes painful, may affect a single muscle; a group of muscles such as those in the arms, legs, or neck; or the entire body.
Those with dystonia usually have normal intelligence and no associated psychiatric disorders.”
What causes Dystonia?
Obviously, this is the big question: what exactly causes Dystonia? It appears not all of the causes are known but that drug reactions is listed in both the Mayo Clinic and WebMD’s listings of causes. To be fair, many disorders list drug reactions under causes and no specific drugs are listed.
The main cause of Dystonia appears to be genetic where the carrying parent may never show signs of the disorder.
Mayo Clinic
“Doctors don't know what causes most cases of dystonia, but it has been linked to communication problems between nerve cells located in the basal ganglia — an area of the brain involved in initiating muscle contractions.
While many cases of dystonia have no obvious cause, the disorder sometimes results from an underlying neurological problem, such as:
· Traumatic brain injury
· Stroke
· Brain tumor
· Oxygen deprivation
· Infections, such as tuberculosis or encephalitis
· Reactions to certain drugs
· Heavy metal or carbon monoxide poisoning “
WebMd
“Most cases of dystonia do not have a specific cause. Dystonia seems to be related to a problem in the basal ganglia. That's the area of the brain that is responsible for initiating muscle contractions. The problem involves the way the nerve cells communicate.
Acquired dystonia is caused by damage to the basal ganglia. The damage could be the result of:
· brain trauma
· stroke
· tumor
· oxygen deprivation
· infection
· drug reactions
· poisoning caused by lead or carbon monoxide
Idiopathic or primary dystonia is often inherited from a parent. Some carriers of the disorder may never develop a dystonia themselves. And the symptoms may vary widely among members of the same family.”
At this point it is too early to know if Jennings did or did not get Dystonia because she got a flu shot. What other things expired in between the time she got the flu shot and the disorder was diagnosed? Did the two seizures she experienced have anything to do with the disorder? Could Jennings have a parent (or even a Grandparent) that is, or was, a carrier - have they been checked?
The video is hard to watch and the thought that it is indeed caused by the flu shot is scary but it is just as scary to think people will avoid getting a flu shot because of it. At least until all the facts are in.
Recent articles~
Video of cheerleader who claims flu shot caused the disorder Dystonia
Best Free online Halloween music for your Halloween party
Second set of horse sex charges for Tennessee man
First official Obama family portrait released by White House
Disney wedding rings debuted: Kristie Kelly matches her wedding dresses
Fun ideas for your Halloween pumpkins: free stencils and carving templates
Related Articles:
Comments
.gif)
