Dyskinesia refers to a category of movement disorders characterized by involuntary, erratic, writhing movements of the face, arms, legs, or trunk.
These movements can manifest in several ways:
- Fluid and dance-like movements: This is sometimes referred to as chorea.
- Rapid jerking: These are known as myoclonic movements.
- Slow and extended muscle spasms: These movements may be referred to as dystonia.
While dyskinesias are often associated with Parkinson's disease, they are not a direct symptom of the disease itself. They are more commonly a side effect of medications used to treat Parkinson's disease, particularly levodopa. This type of dyskinesia is called Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia (LID).
In summary, dyskinesia describes a range of involuntary movements, often drug-induced, affecting various parts of the body.
