DYSTONIA AWARENESS WEEK (UK)
Categories: Health & United Kingdom & Ireland
Location: United Kingdom
Type of Event: Weekly Event
Updated: May 11, 2024
Location: United Kingdom
Type of Event: Weekly Event
Updated: May 11, 2024
About National Dystonia Awareness Week in the United Kingdom
"Dystonia Awareness Week 2014 occurs during the first week of May in the United Kingdom. Canada observes their week in June.
Dystonia is a neurological condition characterised by involuntary and sustained muscle spasms which can force affected parts of the body into abnormal movements or postures. Generally it affects the motor pathways in the brain that control recruitment and movement of muscles causing them to perform an action that leads to unwanted spasms.
Dystonia can affect movement, posture, speech, sight and mobility. Living with dystonia can be painful and debilitating, as well as embarrassing and stigmatising. Work, social activities and quality of life may be significantly impacted.
Causes vary and include gene mutations, brain lesions, premature birth, disorders of body biochemistry known as inborn errors of metabolism, and exposure to drugs or chemicals. Some focal dystonias may arise from repetitive activity leading to over-excitability of the regions of the brain associated with the muscles involved. However, a high proportion of cases have no identifiable cause.
Dystonia is usually always abolished by sleep and returns immediately upon waking, except a rare form called dopa-resonsive dystonia. The disease is rarely fatal but there is currently no cure. In many cases it can be effectively managed with medication, surgery and other therapies. It is believed that at least 70,000 people in the UK affected by dystonia or 1 in 900.
PROMOTION IDEAS FOR DYSTONIA AWARENESS WEEK
Online Awareness via Facebook and Twitter
Dress for Dystonia Party!
Help up to kick Dystonia Awareness Week off in style this year by holding a Dress for Dystonia party!
Go Green for Dystonia
Speaking of green - you may have noticed that green tends to be the Dystonia Society's colour of choice! Why not make it your colour of choice on Thursday 8th May by wearing green for the day and spreading awareness of dystonia.
Hold a Tea Party
You can spread awareness in your workplace, school or local community by holding a tea party, coffee morning or cake stall. "
Dystonia is a neurological condition characterised by involuntary and sustained muscle spasms which can force affected parts of the body into abnormal movements or postures. Generally it affects the motor pathways in the brain that control recruitment and movement of muscles causing them to perform an action that leads to unwanted spasms.
Dystonia can affect movement, posture, speech, sight and mobility. Living with dystonia can be painful and debilitating, as well as embarrassing and stigmatising. Work, social activities and quality of life may be significantly impacted.
Causes vary and include gene mutations, brain lesions, premature birth, disorders of body biochemistry known as inborn errors of metabolism, and exposure to drugs or chemicals. Some focal dystonias may arise from repetitive activity leading to over-excitability of the regions of the brain associated with the muscles involved. However, a high proportion of cases have no identifiable cause.
Dystonia is usually always abolished by sleep and returns immediately upon waking, except a rare form called dopa-resonsive dystonia. The disease is rarely fatal but there is currently no cure. In many cases it can be effectively managed with medication, surgery and other therapies. It is believed that at least 70,000 people in the UK affected by dystonia or 1 in 900.
PROMOTION IDEAS FOR DYSTONIA AWARENESS WEEK
Online Awareness via Facebook and Twitter
Dress for Dystonia Party!
Help up to kick Dystonia Awareness Week off in style this year by holding a Dress for Dystonia party!
Go Green for Dystonia
Speaking of green - you may have noticed that green tends to be the Dystonia Society's colour of choice! Why not make it your colour of choice on Thursday 8th May by wearing green for the day and spreading awareness of dystonia.
Hold a Tea Party
You can spread awareness in your workplace, school or local community by holding a tea party, coffee morning or cake stall. "
PROMOTIONAL DETAILS
Event Sponsor:
The Dystonia Society
Videos
Downloads
Best Practices Guide for Doctors Caring for Dystonia Patients
What is Dystonia?
Guide to Dystonia for Educators
