Helping patients with movement disorders regain control of their lives

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Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Oct 07, 2015, 12:11 ET

SUGAR LAND, Texas, Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Movement — even something as basic as picking up a piece of paper— appears to be simple to most people, but is actually a complex process. It requires several different parts of the brain to work together with many muscle groups.

"There are continuous to and from communications between the brain, muscles and nerves," says Toby Yaltho, M.D., neurologist and movement disorders specialist with Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates. "These regulate the power, speed, coordination and balance necessary for smooth actions. A movement disorder results from the alteration of these communications and can sometimes lead to difficulty walking, involuntary movements, tremors or problems with posture and balance." They are widely prevalent and some are genetic in nature.

The most common movement disorder is essential tremor. It affects one in 20 people over the age of 40, and the prevalence increases with advancing age. The disorder is typically characterized when a tremor or shaking occurs when attempting to perform a task.

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that affects more than one million people in the United States. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year. The incidence increases with age and is more common in people older than 65 years of age. Parkinson's is characterized by rigidity of muscles, tremor and slow movement.

"The proper treatment of movement disorders requires a great deal of coordination and communication between physician and patients," adds Yaltho who is board certified in both neurology and sleep medicine and fellowship trained in movement disorders and neurophysiology. "Seeing an experienced specialist who understands available treatment options is important. I follow my patients very closely and make adjustments as necessary."

Yaltho can help alleviate a full range of movement disorders, including ataxia, dystonia, essential tremor, Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy, myoclonus, Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, restless legs syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, Tourette syndrome and Wilson's disease. With Yaltho's expertise and his excellent patient care you know you will be taken care of at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

To schedule an appointment with Toby Yaltho, M.D. at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Neuroscience and Spine Center email [email protected], or call 281-205-4662. Learn more at houstonmethodist.org/spg/neurology.

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SOURCE Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital