How Do You Spell MANIACAL CHOREA?

1. Maniacal chorea is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary and continuous movements of the body, combined with symptoms of mania or psychosis. This condition is also known as Sydenham's chorea or St. Vitus dance. The term "maniacal" refers to the presence of abnormal mental states, such as extreme excitement, irrational thoughts, or delusions, while "chorea" indicates the jerky, involuntary movements experienced by affected individuals.

   Maniacal chorea is primarily caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of untreated streptococcal infections, such as strep throat. The exact mechanism that leads to the neurological symptoms is not entirely understood, but it is believed to involve an autoimmune reaction triggered by the bacterial infection. This immune response affects the basal ganglia, a region of the brain responsible for coordinating movements, resulting in the characteristic symptoms.

   The symptoms of maniacal chorea typically start appearing a few months after the initial infection. Affected individuals exhibit abrupt and uncontrolled movements, involving the face, arms, legs, and trunk. These movements often have a random, dance-like quality, leading to the name "St. Vitus dance." Additionally, individuals may display irritability, emotional instability, and difficulty concentrating, which are indicative of mania or psychosis. Other symptoms that may be present include muscle weakness, impaired coordination, and speech disturbances.

   Treatment for maniacal chorea typically involves addressing the underlying rheumatic fever with antibiotics to eradicate the infection. In order to manage the movement symptoms, medications that decrease the severity of the abnormal movements, such as antipsychotics or benzodiazepines, may be prescribed. In most cases, maniacal chorea is self-limiting, meaning that symptoms

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   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for MANIACAL CHOREA

The term "maniacal chorea" can be broken down into two parts: "maniacal" and "chorea".

1. Maniacal: This word comes from the Greek word "mania", meaning frenzy or madness. It entered the English language in the late 16th century and referred to a state of mental disorder characterized by extreme excitement, aggression, and irrational behavior.

2. Chorea: This term comes from the Greek word "khoreia", which means a dance. Chorea is a medical condition characterized by involuntary movements of the body, often resembling a dance-like motion. The term originated in the early 17th century and was used to describe specific movement disorders.

Therefore, the term "maniacal chorea" refers to a condition involving both extreme excitement or madness (maniacal) and uncontrollable movements or dancing-like motions (chorea).