Neuromuscular diseases consist of several conditions and ailments that affect the nerves responsible for the normal control of the voluntary muscles which are used for the muscles such as the arms and the legs. The neuromuscular diseases can occur because of the communication problem between the nervous system and the muscles which can develop when the neurons become unhealthy or die. This can cause the muscle weakness and waste away. The weakness of the muscles can cause twitching, aches, cramps, joint and movement problems. In the case of problems with the nerve-muscle junction, it can cause double vision, a weakness that can deteriorate and droopy eyelids. In some cases, it can also affect the normal function of the heart and the individual’s ability to breathe normally. Some of the examples of neuromuscular diseases include multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, friedreich’s ataxia and inclusion body myositis.
Multiple Sclerosis
This condition affects the central nervous system causing symptoms such as problems with the vision, movement of the limbs and the balance. In some case, it can be mild while others can experience serious disability. The two forms of multiple sclerosis include relapsing-remitting MS and primary MS. The symptoms of relapsing-remitting MS can deteriorate over months but can improve slowly over time. The primary progressive MS is the condition that presents gradual deterioration of the symptoms which can accumulate over several years without remission. There is no cure for MS but the treatment can help with the management of the symptoms.
Inclusion-Body myositis
This disorder appears to affect more men than women with the symptoms becoming evident after the age of 50. A small number of the affected individuals have it as a hereditary condition while most develop because of sporadic genetic mutation. The signs and symptoms include the foot that appears to drop when walking, trouble climbing stairs, frequent falling episodes, difficulty swallowing, weakness of certain muscles and pain or discomfort as the muscle weakens. The treatment consists of medications, supplements and physical therapy to help with the symptoms.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
This nervous system disease can attack the neurons in the brain and the spinal cord. The neurons are responsible for the transmission of signals from the brain and spinal cord to various voluntary muscles. Initially, this condition can present mild muscle problems that can include trouble walking, speech problems and trouble writing. As the disease progresses, the affected individual can eventually lose their strength and cannot move. When the muscles of the chest become involved, breathing difficulty can be experienced. There is no cure for the disease but the treatment can provide medications that can relieve symptoms and prolong the survival.
Spinal muscular atrophy
This genetic disease affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord. As the condition progresses, the neurons can die causing muscle weakness. This can affect the individual’s normal activities such as walking, breathing, swallowing and the control of the neck and head. There are several types of spinal muscular atrophy and some of them can be fatal when it affects breathing. There is no cure for this disease but treatment can help control the symptoms and to prevent the development of complications.
References
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.myositis.org/learn-about-myositis/treatment
https://medlineplus.gov/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis.html
https://medlineplus.gov/spinalmuscularatrophy.html
