Myotonia
Myotonia is a condition where the muscles go into spasm and do not relax (so if you shake hands, for example, they can't let go). There is associated weakness of the affected muscles. When this occurs in infancy it is called Myotonia congenita, and it is a relatively benign disorder. Myotonia dystrophia is an inherited disorder which usually shows itself in the 20’s, and is a progressive disorder which eventually gives rise to wasting of the muscles of the face and shoulders. There are other, rarer conditions which run in families where there are abnormalities of the channels which allow ions to cross the membrane of muscles, causing periods of weakness. Genetic counselling may be helpful.
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