Musculoskeletal diseases are conditions that affect the muscles, bones, joints and ligaments. These forms of diseases appear to be commonly affecting individuals particularly over the age of 65 and over. Some of the common conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system include osteoporosis, fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, muscular dystrophy, spinal deformity, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of conditions that causes weakness and loss of muscle mass which can result in the inability to walk, present trouble with breathing and swallowing. The various types of muscular dystrophy can develop either in infancy or not occur till middle age or later in life presenting different symptoms. Some of the types of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne MD, myotonic dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral MD, Becker MD and limb-girdle MD.
Gout
This is a form of arthritis that develops because of increased levels of uric acid in the blood. Normally, the uric acid is excreted in the urine but this condition occurs either as the result of the body producing the excess amount of uric acid or the inability of the kidney to excrete it effectively. Gout commonly affects the ends of the limbs such as the fingers, toes, ankles and the knees. The symptoms include severe pain in the joints, swollen joints and feeling tenderness. The gout episodes develop within few hours lasting for up to 10 days. The treatment is based on medications to control the production of uric acid or the removal of uric acid.
Lupus erythematosus
This is an autoimmune condition that causes the inflammation of various parts of the body such as the joints, blood cells and the skin. Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, it is believed to develop because of problems with the immune system. This occurs when the antibodies accidentally attack the healthy tissue and organs. It can also develop because of environmental triggers such as exposure to sunlight or to certain infections such as Epstein-Barr virus or hormonal changes. The symptoms associated with this condition can occur slowly or over a period of time. Some of the common symptoms include skin lesions that can become worse with sun exposure, dry eyes, headaches, joint pain or stiffness and memory loss. Some of the individuals can also develop strokes, lung inflammation or heart diseases. There is no cure and the treatment is focused on the symptoms that are evident.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common condition that develops when the bone loses the mineral calcium which can weaken the structure of the bones. There are two forms of cells known as osteoblast and osteoclast that are involved in the bone formation and degradation. Osteoblast deposits calcium to the bones when there is an excess of it while osteoclast is responsible for the resorption of calcium bones during its deficiency. Osteoporosis can develop particularly with the loss of estrogen in women after menopause and the loss of testosterone among the male. This condition can be prevented by ensuring sufficient amount of vitamin D and calcium is regularly included in the diet.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/home/ovc-20207808
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/basics/symptoms/con-20019676
http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/
