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Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune disease. SPS is characterized by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.
What is SPS disease?
The Signs and Symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome are as follows:
- Progressive stiffness, primarily in the lower spine and legs
- Progressive rigidity
- Painful spasms in the legs and spine
- Painful spasms in the neck, abdomen, arms and face
- Muscle spasms that occur when the person is emotionally stimulated, such as through fear, anger, surprise or sadness
- Exaggerated upright posture
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
What are the symptoms of stiff person syndrome?
What is SPS? Definition. Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is really a rare nerve disorder with options that come with an autoimmune disease. SPS is characterised by fluctuating muscle rigidity within the trunk and braches along with a increased sensitivity to stimuli for example noise, touch, and emotional distress, which could trigger fits.
What is SPS syndrome?
- What Is Stiff Person Syndrome?
- What Causes Stiff Person Syndrome?
- Risk Factors Associated With SPS Conditions With Increased Risk of Developing SPS:
- Symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome Early Symptoms Muscle Spasms Later Symptoms Other Diseases Triggered by Stiff Person Syndrome
- Diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome SPS Tests
What is the progression of stiff person syndrome?
Is there a cure for SPS?
Although the treatment for SPS is available, it does not cure the syndrome. Many patients have a slow course of the disorder that is mostly without symptoms, punctuated by occasional episodes of stiffness. Other patients may have a much more aggressive course, rapidly progressing to the late stages of the disease.
How does IVIg help stiff person syndrome?
Patients with Stiff-man Syndrome may produce antibodies that attack enzymes required for the normal function of the nervous system. Steroids, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) have been given to relieve some of the symptoms of Stiff-man Syndrome.
What are the first symptoms of stiff person syndrome?
In most people with stiff person syndrome, the trunk and abdomen muscles are the first to become stiff and enlarged. Symptoms include pain, muscle stiffness and aching discomfort. Early on, stiffness may come and go but eventually the stiffness remains constant.
What are the symptoms of SPS?
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, progressive syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include extreme muscle stiffness, rigidity and painful spasms in the trunk and limbs, severely impairing mobility. Spasms can generate enough force to fracture bone.
Can stiff person syndrome go into remission?
Two female patients achieved clinical remission from the rare, debilitating neurological disease called stiff person syndrome (SPS, which can be marked by a "tin soldier" gait) after an autologous (from your own body) stem cell transplant that eventually allowed them to return to work and regain their previous ...
Does stiff person syndrome affect speech?
The loss of voice may have been due to spasms in the neck, from the underlying SPS, which were intermittent or subtle enough to go unnoticed. It was only years later, with the onset of sustained muscle contractions of the neck and lower back and the hyperlordosis, that SPS was suspected to be involved.
What causes spasticity in legs?
Spasticity is generally caused by damage or disruption to the area of the brain and spinal cord that are responsible for controlling muscle and stretch reflexes. These disruptions can be due to an imbalance in the inhibitory and excitatory signals sent to the muscles, causing them to lock in place.
Does stiff person syndrome cause vertigo?
Stiffness and spasms may occur along with, before or after the development of other symptoms including vertigo, a lack of coordination of voluntary muscles (ataxia), and difficulty speaking (dysarthria).
What autoimmune disease causes tight muscles?
Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's own immune system attacks itself. In the case of myositis, the immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, which results in inflammation, swelling, pain, and eventual weakness.
What mimics stiff person syndrome?
Both isolated axial dystonia and stiff person syndrome (SPS) are rare conditions that can look deceivingly similar.