What are the various Neuromuscular diseases and it’s treatment?

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Neuromuscular diseases consists a wide range of disorders damaging the peripheral nervous system, which consists of all the motor and sensory nerves from all over the body that connects the brain and spinal cord. Progressive muscle weakness is the primary condition of these disorders. Many of these disorders are curable if the treatment is given early and appropriately. In fact, further disability can be inhibited and potentially reversed. Determining the exact nature of the disease will also allow understanding all the implications of a particular disease and, if it’s hereditary, what it might mean for family and offspring.

Diseases:

•          Diabetic neuropathy – nerves affected by the diabetes
•          Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and different motor neuron diseases –       cells that control voluntary muscle activity is damaged
•          Toxic neuropathy – pain, and weakness caused by toxic substances
•          Small fiber neuropathy – affects the nerve endings of the skin
•          Autonomic neuropathies – damage to nerves that affects the heart, blood pressure, body             temperature, digestion and more
•          Muscular disorders, hereditary:

Ø  Congenital myopathies – muscle weakness existing at birth

Ø  Muscular dystrophy – a group of disorders involving muscle weakness       

Ø  Metabolic myopathies – the breakdown of muscles, cramping syndromes, exercise intolerance, including mitochondrial disorders

•         Muscular disorders, acquired:

Ø  Inclusion body myositis – inflammatory muscle disease includes weakness and difficulty swallowing

Ø  Dermatomyositis – inflammatory muscle disease includes muscle weakness and skin rash

Ø  Polymyositis – includes muscle weakness and inflammation

Ø  Necrotizing myopathy – extensive muscle destruction

•          Neuromuscular junction disorders (a problem at the location where nerves connect with             muscles):

Ø  Myasthenia gravis – communication problem between nerves and muscles results in muscle weakness and muscle fatigue.

Ø  Lambert-Eaton Syndrome – often coincides with cancer, causing muscle weakness.

Diagnosis:

                  During the process of electro diagnostics, small electrical impulses are applied to the nerves and electrical responses are recorded. This helps to determine whether there is a loss of nerve fibers or a problem with the wrapping (insulation) of the nerves. A small acupuncture-size needle can also be inserted into the muscles to listen to the activity of neuron and determine if there is a primary muscle disorder. Several tests can also be performed which includes repetitive stimulation method for the neuromuscular junction, autonomic nerve testing and single-fiber EMG (Electromyography) for assessing transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment varies widely, depending on the diagnosis and other factors. Few treatments include medical therapy, including immunosuppressive drugs, pain management, and assistive devices. Apheresis is a technique which takes out antibodies in the blood associated with a neuromuscular disease that causes weakness and other disorders.