The oculogyric crisis (OGK) is a violation of eye movements, which often occurs with neurological pathologies. In some cases, this symptom is a consequence of side effects of drugs. In medicine, this manifestation is also called tonic spasm of the eye. With OGK, an involuntary movement of the eyeballs occurs upward and simultaneously to the left or right. This is often accompanied by pain and other unpleasant sensations. How to get rid of cramps in the eyes? We will consider this issue in the article.
Causes
Quite often, oculogyric crisis occurs in patients taking antipsychotics. This is how the body reacts to the active components of psychotropic drugs. OGK can also be a side effect of the following drugs:
- antiepileptic drugs (Finlepsin, Carbamazepine);
- medicines based on lithium salts;
- medicines for high blood pressure (Reserpine, Raunatin);
- antiemetic drugs (Domperidone);
- cytostatics (Delagil);
- psychostimulants ("Pemoline").
Cramp of gaze can occur with an increase in the level of serotonin in the body. This phenomenon is noted with an overdose of antidepressants and psychostimulants. Serotonin syndrome is accompanied by fever, severe psychomotor agitation and convulsive manifestations.
Causes of oculogyric crisis may also be associated with neurological pathologies. This symptom is noted in the following diseases:
- Tourette's syndrome;
- Parkinson's disease;
- multiple sclerosis;
- CNS lesions in syphilis;
- Rett syndrome (CNS genetic pathology accompanied by deep mental retardation);
- head injuries;
- encephalitis;
- senile dementia;
- brain tumors.
In most cases, OGC occurs in elderly patients. However, with genetic diseases of the central nervous system, involuntary eye movements are observed in childhood or adolescence.
Tourette's syndrome should be considered in more detail. What is this disease? With this pathology, the patient has involuntary movements - tics. They affect most often the facial area. In this case, the patient appears not only motor, but also voice tics. A man involuntarily shouts out individual sounds and words. Sometimes coprolalia is observed - an obsessive pronunciation of abusive and offensive expressions. OGK is one of the signs of this disease.
Symptoms
Usually oculogyric crisis is paroxysmal. First, the patient has a feeling of anxiety and anxiety. A man looks nervous and excited. Then the patient's gaze becomes fixed. Further, the eyeballs deviate up and to the side. In this case, the patient throws his head back. Cramp of the gaze is usually accompanied by pain in the eyes, lacrimation, redness of the face, frequent blinking.
During an attack of OGK, the patient may have other symptoms:
- difficulty breathing
- headache and imbalance;
- increase in blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- depressive state;
- anxiety;
- the disappearance of speech (mutism);
- spasm of chewing muscles;
- tics of the facial muscles;
- protruding tongue;
- obsessive repetition of the same words and phrases;
- shouting swear words.
Such an attack can last from several minutes to several hours. OGK can provoke emotional excitement, stress, physical stress.
Diagnostics
A neurologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of oculogyric crisis. This condition cannot be considered individual diseases. OGK is only one of the symptoms of various pathologies. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the cause of the seizure.
The doctor conducts a survey of the patient and a medical history. It is necessary to tell the specialist about your feelings during the attack. You must also tell your neurologist about the medicines you take regularly. After all, OGK is often provoked by the use of medications.
The following diagnostic examinations are prescribed to patients:
- electroencephalogram;
- echoencephalogram;
- MRI or CT of the brain;
- dopplerography of the vessels of the head;
- X-ray of the skull.
Treatment
As already mentioned, oculogyric crisis is only one of the signs of various neurological pathologies. Therefore, in order to completely get rid of OGK, it is necessary to carry out therapy of the underlying disease.
If the cramp of the eye is caused by taking medication, then you must either cancel the drug, or revise the treatment regimen and dosage.
Doctors also prescribe medications for the symptomatic treatment of eye cramps:
- Diphenhydramine. This antihistamine has a calming effect on the central nervous system.
- Antiparkinsonian drugs: Cyclodolum, Parkopan, Akineton, Tropatsin. These drugs stop seizures. They are useful for OGS caused by medication.
These medicines are taken during an attack. In most cases, they stop the manifestations of OGK within 5 to 10 minutes.
It is important to remember that all of the above medicines are strictly prescription. Self-medication by such means is unacceptable. Such drugs can only be taken under medical supervision.
Psychotherapeutic methods are used to treat Tourette’s syndrome. "What is this disease?" - Such a question often arises among others when they see the patient at the time of the attack. This pathology negatively affects the patient's communication with other people. Because of this, patients often become withdrawn and prone to depression. People with Tourette's syndrome need serious psychological support. They need to attend psychotherapy sessions to learn how to control their behavior during an attack.
Prevention
How to avoid unpleasant manifestations of OGK? First of all, it is necessary to take antipsychotics and other psychotropic drugs only under the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication with such drugs is unacceptable. Usually, during the course of therapy, patients are prescribed antiparkinsonian drugs as correctors. They help alleviate the side effects of antipsychotics.
It is important to cure neurological pathologies in time. However, CNS diseases are often chronic. In this case, you must carefully adhere to the recommended treatment regimen. Any convulsive manifestations must be reported to your doctor.
Elderly patients should regularly undergo a routine examination by a neurologist. This is especially recommended when taking medications that can trigger eye cramps. Timely diagnosis will help in time to prevent the appearance of OGK. After all, such a symptom is quite difficult to treat.