Ballistics is a large-scale hyperkinesia that affects mainly the muscles of the hands, or rather the proximal parts of the limbs.
Usually it is characterized by a sweeping motion in the region of the hip and shoulder joint. This, in turn, can cause loss of balance, falling and subsequently damage to subcutaneous tissues and skin.
The cause of the disturbance is mainly the defeat of the striatum and the subthalamic nucleus, which is the result of the occurring changes in the vascular region. Often this can be the result of lupus or rheumatism.
What happens with ballistics? This process is accompanied by the death of glutamated neurons, which are contained in the subtal 
nucleus. This, in turn, can lead to such consequences as disinhibition of thalamocortical influences.
There is often a manifestation in the form of hemiballism, although it is an independent clinical form of lacunar stroke affecting the brain.
Gemiballism, in turn, is a pathology that affects only one side of the body. And, what is most typical for this disorder, is the formation on the opposite side of the pathological focus.
Etiology of the disease
As a cause of the development of ballistics( hemi, vapor and mono), mainly ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, concentrated in the contralateral hemisphere of the brain.
In this case, it also affects the subthalamic nucleus. As a rule, the causes of the disease are divided into several forms: primary, that is, hereditary factor and secondary. Secondary causes of the disease may be the following factors:
- arteriovenous malformation;
- metastatic or primary formations( tumors);
- hepatic encephalitis, tuberculoma and AIDS-associated toxoplasmic abscess, that is, factors that belong to the group of neuroinfections;
- injuries affecting the head;
- multiple sclerosis;
- primary antiphospholipid syndrome and connective tissue diseases;
- complications that were formed as a result of neurosurgical operations;
- hypo and hyperglycemia;
- side effects caused by taking some medications.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The main symptoms of the pathology are sudden, sudden movements, which are called ballistic movements. This involves not one muscle group.
Often, this pathology is one-sided, that is, a manifestation of hemiballism on the face. Movement in this case may look purposeful, despite the exaggeration. Typically, the amplitude of the body movement is much larger than it is required to achieve a specific goal, that is, the leg or hand can hit an obstacle with excessive force.
The time of manifestation of ballistic and hemiballism is a day, at night hyperkinesis ceases. At the same time during the day, such movements can be observed constantly.
Hyperkinesis can be intensified by the action of some external stimuli, it is especially pronounced during stress and anxiety. During the diagnosis, often concurrent pathology - hemiparesis.
Dystonic syndromes are mainly manifested, that is, an involuntary long-term reduction of a whole group or individual muscles occurs. This is due to the violation of the system responsible for relaxation and contraction of the muscles of antagonists and agonists. In turn, dystonia has its own qualification:
- generalized ;
- focal ( the place of localization all the time is the same as the muscle group).
With instrumental and clinical examination, it is often possible to identify diseases that have served as irritants of pathology. Thus, something to say about the pathogenesis of dystonia is impossible.
There is a theory that the disorganization of the brake mechanisms located in the spinal cord contributes to its contribution. In this case, it can be combined with damage to the peripheral nerves.
What modern medicine offers
First of all, the treatment is based on the reception of dopamine receptor blockers, which belong to the group of neuralpeptics and reserpine, responsible for the reduction of presynaptic dopamine terminology.
Quite often after 2 to 7 days, there is a regression of ballistics. On some, such treatment affects somewhat differently and after a period of time the symptoms of hyperkinesis become less pronounced. Basically, this happens with the appointment of Progabide and Valproate sodium.
In resistant cases and a more severe form of deviation, specialists resort to surgical intervention. The choice of this method of treatment affects the stereotactic destruction of the region of the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus. Recently, the use of high-frequency electric stimulation of nuclei is quite common.
An important role in treatment is performed by preventive measures of various medical complications and physical injuries. In general, they are associated with a debilitating, unusually sharp and sweeping character, manifested hyperkinesis. Thus, the arrangement of a place for the patient plays no less important role in this process.
In this case, the bed and the room itself should be arranged as safely as possible, that is, walls and other elements that can cause injury are removed or covered with foam rubber.
Often experts resort to fixing the limbs to a special frame or body. Also important is the patient's nutrition, which must be balanced and caloric in order to compensate for all energy costs.
