Chorea
Choreia (or Chorea) is an abnormal involuntary movement disorder, one of a group of neurological called dyskinesias. The term choreia is derived from the Greek word Xopeia (=dance), see choreia (dance), as the quick movements of the feet or hands are vaguely comparable to dancing or piano playing.
The term hemichoreia refers to choreia of one side of the body, such as choreia of one arm and not both (comparable to hemiballismus).
Choreia is characterized by brief quasi-purposeful, irregular contractions that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appears to flow from one muscle to the next muscle.
These dance-like movements of choreia (from the same root word as “choreography”) often occur with athetosis, which adds twisting and writhing movements.
Choreia can occur in a variety of conditions and disorders.
- Choreia is a primary feature of Huntington’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
- Twenty percent of children and adolescents with rheumatic fever develop Sydenham’s Choreia as a complication.
- Choreia Gravidarum is a rare type of choreia which is a complication of pregnancy.
- Choreia may also be caused by drugs (levadopa, anti-convulsants, anti-
psychotics) metabolic disorders, and vascular incidents.
- Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder that leads to toxic levels of copper in the body.
When choreia is serious, slight movements will become thrashing motions. This form of severe choreia is referred to as ballism.
25 years ago I was diagnosed with focal eyelid dystonia, also called Blepharospasm. My symptoms included involuntary movements of the eyelids whereas cervical dystonia is in the neck, etc. I have found a whole food and nutritional supplement program that nourished my body and brain and helped to alleviate my symptoms and improve my quality of life.
The term hemichoreia refers to choreia of one side of the body, such as choreia of one arm and not both (comparable to hemiballismus).
Choreia is characterized by brief quasi-purposeful, irregular contractions that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appears to flow from one muscle to the next muscle.
These dance-like movements of choreia (from the same root word as “choreography”) often occur with athetosis, which adds twisting and writhing movements.
Choreia can occur in a variety of conditions and disorders.
- Choreia is a primary feature of Huntington’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
- Twenty percent of children and adolescents with rheumatic fever develop Sydenham’s Choreia as a complication.
- Choreia Gravidarum is a rare type of choreia which is a complication of pregnancy.
- Choreia may also be caused by drugs (levadopa, anti-convulsants, anti-
psychotics) metabolic disorders, and vascular incidents.
- Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder that leads to toxic levels of copper in the body.
When choreia is serious, slight movements will become thrashing motions. This form of severe choreia is referred to as ballism.
25 years ago I was diagnosed with focal eyelid dystonia, also called Blepharospasm. My symptoms included involuntary movements of the eyelids whereas cervical dystonia is in the neck, etc. I have found a whole food and nutritional supplement program that nourished my body and brain and helped to alleviate my symptoms and improve my quality of life.
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Steve Zarren, President
Feel Better LLC
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