There are many possible causes of unpredictable, jerky movements which include Sydenham's chorea, Huntington disease and other rare disorders. Some medical illnesses that can cause chorea include anti-cardiolipin antibody syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosis, polycythemia rubra vera, stroke, thyroid disease, and disorders of calcium, glucose or sodium metabolism.
Some medications such as anti-psychotic drugs, may cause tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder which may include choreic movements. Rarely, it is inherited in the syndrome called benign hereditary chorea. Some women may develop chorea when pregnant. This is called chorea gravidarum.
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