Celine Dion Suffer Stiff Person Syndrome :Famous titanic singer Celine Dion who sang “My Heart will go on“ was diagnosed with a rare neurological syndrome, Stiff Person Syndrome as she shared an emotional video on Instagram. While addressing in her video she mentioned that she is suffering from rare syndrome Stiff Person Syndrome. She postponed and canceled her concerts last December due to her health conditions.
Know Stiff Person Syndrome :
Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder which causes progressive muscle stiffness and repeated episodes of painful muscle spasms. Muscular rigidity grows worse and improves along with muscle spasms.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a very rare disorder with an incidence 1 in million according to National Library of Medicine. Syndrome affects adults more than 40 years of age, after stressful events in their life. Stiff Person syndrome originally described by Moersch and Woltman in 1956. This syndrome is also known as Moersch Woltman Syndrome or Human Statue Disease or Tin Man Disease.
Stiff Person Syndrome Symptoms :
The main symptoms of stiff person syndrome is muscle stiffness in the proximal limbs along with violet muscle spasms. This is mostly triggered by environmental stimuli like noise or emotional stress. Sometimes muscle spasms are so severe that the person suffering from the disorder falls down. The muscles slowly relax after the stimulus is gone. These symptoms make the person disable. Person with stiff person syndrome is likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety due to lower levels of neurotransmitter Gamma Amino Benzoic Acid.
According to researchers, Stiff person Syndrome is autoimmune syndrome in which the immune system attaches a protein glutamic acid decarboxylase which helps in synthesis of Gamma Amino Benzoic Acid.Lower levels of GABA cause unnecessary firing from the neurons when it is not suppose to do. About 80 % of patients have anti glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid is a protective liquid around the brain and spinal cord.
Stiff Person Syndrome is an incurable disease in which symptomatic treatment is given with medications like sedatives, muscle relaxants and steroids. Emotional support is very essential for the person who is suffering from Stiff Person Syndrome as the mood changes can trigger symptoms. Counselling of the caregivers is also one of the parts of treatment as they have to take care of patients while having symptoms.
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