Paroxysmal Dyskinesias is a medical term that describes a group of rare disorders characterized by sudden, involuntary movements. The word "Paroxysmal" refers to the sudden onset of these movements, while "Dyskinesias" describes the abnormal movements themselves. The spelling reflects the origin of the term, with "Paroxysmal" coming from Greek "paroxysmos" and "Dyskinesias" from Greek "dys-" meaning "difficult" and "kīnēsis" meaning "motion". Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the word is pronounced as /pəˈrɒksɪzməl dɪsˈkɪniːziəs/.
Paroxysmal Dyskinesias (PDs) refer to a group of movement disorders characterized by sudden and unpredictable episodes of abnormal involuntary movements. These movements are typically brief, recurring, and can affect various body parts, such as the limbs, face, or trunk. PDs can manifest in different forms, including paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD), and paroxysmal exertion-induced dyskinesia (PED).
PKD is triggered by sudden voluntary movements, such as standing up, walking, or changing positions. These episodes usually last from seconds to minutes and typically involve dystonic or choreiform movements. Conversely, PNKD showcases similar involuntary movements, but they are not evoked by voluntary actions, appearing spontaneously. The duration of PNKD episodes often varies between minutes and hours.
PED specifically manifests during or after intense physical exertion, including exercise or running. The duration of episodes in PED can also range from seconds to minutes. In all forms of PDs, the abnormal movements during paroxysms present without alteration of consciousness and are often associated with normal neurological function between episodes.
The underlying causes of PDs are diverse and may involve genetic mutations, metabolic abnormalities, or even structural abnormalities in the brain. PDs can occur in both children and adults, and they may cause discomfort, pain, or functional impairments during episodes. Treatment options for PDs may include medication, such as antiepileptic drugs or dopamine receptor antagonists, to reduce the frequency and severity of paroxysms.
The word "Paroxysmal Dyskinesias" has its roots in Greek and Latin.
The term "paroxysmal" comes from the Greek word "paroxysmos", which means "irregular occurrence" or "sudden attack". It refers to a sudden onset or recurrence of symptoms.
The word "dyskinesias" is derived from two Greek words: "dys", meaning "abnormal" or "difficult", and "kinesis", meaning "movement". Dyskinesias refers to abnormal or involuntary movements.
So, when combined, "Paroxysmal Dyskinesias" refers to a condition characterized by sudden and abnormal movements.