Neuromuscular disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Nerves that regulate voluntary muscles and nerves that relay sensory data to the brain are both impacted by neuromuscular diseases. To help control voluntary muscles, nerve cells, or neurons, transmit and receive electrical signals to and from the body. Communication between the nervous system and muscles is disrupted when neurons deteriorate or die. Muscles deteriorate and weaken as a result (atrophy).
Symptoms
Many neuromuscular problems exist, and it is crucial that they are treated by a skilled multidisciplinary team, like the one at Cedars-Neuromuscular Sinai’s Disorders Department.
Muscle weakness and weariness brought on by these illnesses worsen over time. While the symptoms of some neuromuscular diseases first manifest in children, those of others might develop as children or even adults. The specific neuromuscular condition and the body regions involved will determine the symptoms.
The followings are some signs and symptoms of neuromuscular disorders:
- Muscle weakness that can lead to twitching, cramps, aches and pains
- Muscle loss
- Movement issues
- Balance problems
- Numbness, tingling or painful sensations
- Droopy eyelids
- Double vision
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
Types of neuromuscular disorders include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myopathy
- Myositis, including polymyositis and dermatomyositis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Spinal muscular atrophy
Danger factors and the causes
Specific neuromuscular problems may also be brought on by immune system issues. Neuromuscular disorders can be inherited or brought on by a spontaneous gene mutation.
Diagnosis
The patient will be examined by a doctor, who will also get their medical and family history. In addition to assessing the patient’s various symptoms, a doctor may decide to conduct further diagnostic procedures, such as:
- Blood test to check for elevated enzymes
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and spinal cord
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check cerebrospinal fluid
- Electromyography (EMG) to record the electrical activity of each muscle
- Nerve conduction studies to see how well signals travel from nerve to muscle
- Muscle biopsy to examine a sample of muscle tissue under a microscope
- Genetic testing to confirm gene mutations
Treatment
Neuromuscular problems are now incurable. In an effort to develop a solution, research is being done on genetic therapies and novel drugs. Medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and, where necessary, surgery are used to treat symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve patients’ quality of life.