Neuromuscular disease
Neuromuscular disease
Neuromuscular disease (pronunciation: /ˌnʊəroʊˈmʌskjʊlər dɪˈziːz/) is a broad term that encompasses many diseases and ailments that impair the functioning of the muscles, either directly, being pathologies of the voluntary muscle, or indirectly, being pathologies of nerves or neuromuscular junctions.
Etymology
The term "neuromuscular" is derived from neuro, from the Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neûron), meaning "nerve", and muscular, from the Latin muscularis, meaning "of the muscles".
Types of Neuromuscular Diseases
Neuromuscular diseases are many and varied, and can be categorized based on the component of the motor unit that is primarily affected. Some of the most common types include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Peripheral neuropathy
Symptoms
Symptoms of neuromuscular disease can vary widely, depending on the specific disease and its severity. Common symptoms may include muscle weakness, muscle wasting, twitching, cramping, numbness, pain, and a decrease in muscle tone.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases often involves a combination of clinical examination, medical history, and specialized tests such as Electromyography (EMG), Nerve conduction studies (NCS), and Muscle biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment for neuromuscular diseases is typically focused on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medication, and in some cases, surgery.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neuromuscular disease
- Wikipedia's article - Neuromuscular disease
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