Movement disorder or gait disorder are different diseases causing unmanageable body movements. Awareness about these diseases is very low in India and Parkinson’s disease is the most widespread disease in this category.
After completing DM Neurology from SMS Jaipur, Dr. Vaibhav Mathur, returned after special training at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, is Rajasthan’s first movement disorder specialist and is providing his services to the citizens of the state in Jaipur.
What are movement disorders?
As the name suggests, movement disorders can be unnecessary extra movement or reduced speed of activities of body. Some of the major diseases that come under this category are:
1. Parkinson’s disease – tremors, speech, stiffness and ambulation difficulties
2. Ataxia – staggering or incoordination in walking, lack of control in moving arms and legs
3. Dystonia – Involuntary twitching or stiffness in the legs, Difficulty in speaking or writing, Or pain and stiffness in the neck
4. Tremor – persistent shaking of the arms, legs, head, neck, or lips.
5. Chorea – Excessive and involuntary dancing of the body.
These diseases can occur in both the young and the elderly due to genetic and environmental factors. Awareness of these diseases in India is very low, due to which timely and appropriate treatment is not availed by the patients. 3-8% of neurological diseases is directly related to movement disorders.
Parkinson’s disease is the most widespread movement disorder.
According to movement disorder specialist Dr. Vaibhav Mathur, the slowness, tremors, loss of balance that come in elderly are considered to be due to old age or arthritis, but all these can be early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is also better known by the general public as a disease of tremors, a feeling of stiffness in the body, difficulty in getting up and sitting.
Discomfort and coldness, dragging of feet while walking, and less movement of arms while walking. The symptoms of the disease usually appear after the age of 60, but in adolescence (juvenile Parkinsonism) and youthfulness(Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease) are also becoming more prevent these Pain patients suffer from stiffness, pain and due to slowness one has to leave studies and job.
New dimensions in treatment
There have been significant advances in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease over the past few decades, and movement disorders have been treated medically. A special addition has now been made to science. Dopamine tablets can be given in different formats, in addition an injection called apomorphine has also been shown to be beneficial in Parkinson’s patients. Deep brain stimulation is the newest treatment for Parkinson’s disease and Dr Vaibhav Mathur is launching Rajasthan first DBS program for benefits of state patients.
What is DBS?
“Deep Brain Stimulation” or “D BS” is a modern technique that transmits sensitive wires (electrons) to the brain. These are implanted and connected to a pacemaker-like device (IPG) in the chest. After this IPG Can be controlled (programmed) externally and patients’ symptoms are improved by an astonishing 70-80%.
DBS was introduced in India but patients in Rajasthan still have to go to Delhi or have to go to Mumbai for this advance treatment.
Dr. Vaibhav Mathur is a well- established team of Neurologist, DBS Neurosurgeon, Speech Therapist and Radiologist in Jaipur.