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Myopathy is a series of symptoms that result from muscle damage in the human body. Myopathy is a very rare muscle disease that leads to muscle weakness or, as the disease progresses, to its complete disappearance. This disease, depending on its course and severity, has very different symptoms. However, the common symptom is general muscle weakness, especially in the arms and thighs. Myopathy is a disease that affects muscle tissue. The causes of this disease can be many and complex. Each type of myopathy is associated with appropriate treatment, prognosis, reversibility of already existing changes in the body or the degree of annoyance for the daily functioning of the human being.
The causes of myopathy
Nowadays, it can be distinguished miopathy acquired and congenital.
Myopathy congenital is associated with the malfunctioning of mitochondria in the cells of the body, which may result in the accumulation of metabolic by-products. The symptom here is symmetrical complaints, the same on both sides of the body. Myopathy metabolic rate can also be the result of chronic diseases – lung diseases, malabsorption disorders, vitamin deficiency or cardiovascular diseases. Another of the triggering factors myopathy there may be diseases of the endocrine system. Endocrine diseases disrupt the functions of muscle cells, thus weakening them and destroying their proper functioning. Such diseases include diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal gland or pituitary gland.
In turn, myopathy acquired can be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, other intoxicants, and even drug overdose.
The most common symptoms of myopathy
It is worth remembering that in myopathies sensory disturbances are rare. Main symptom there is strong muscle weakness, progressing symmetrically, for example in the right and left limbs simultaneously.
Myopathy congenital makes itself felt from the youngest years of life. What should worry us? When a child complains of frequent muscle pain, has problems with raising his arms above his head, he complains about breathing problems, which in the initial diagnosis may be mistaken for the presence of bronchial asthma. Often there are also difficulties with following a given object, spontaneous ptosis, difficulties in swallowing food. Whereas myopathy secondary, i.e. acquired as a result of an endocrine disease, may appear at any moment of life.
What to do if you experience symptoms of myopathy?
Certainly, you should immediately go to the general practitioner and inform him exactly about the observed symptoms. Then, when the doctor determines that the patient’s concerns are correct, he or she refers the patient to a neurologist or endocrinologist who will perform a series of specialist tests to confirm myopathies. It is very important not to delay seeing your doctor, especially when the symptoms last for a short time, but they get worse very quickly and make it difficult to function normally.
Myopathy – diagnosis of the disease
Diagnostics it is based on the conduct of a series of neurological tests, the results of which will either state or deny any actual muscle weakness. Then the patient has to undergo laboratory tests to check the level of thyroid hormones, electrolytes and other reagents needed for diagnosis. In this disease, the level of creatine kinase, which shows the degree of muscle breakdown, is of great importance.
Until the final diagnosis it is necessary to take a muscle sample and send it for histopathological examination. Such examination is performed under local anesthesia. If the patient is suspected of myopathy congenital, genetic testing should be performed.
Myopathy – treatment of the disease
Treatment of myopathy is a two-step process. The factor causing it should be eliminated first. This includes, for example, the effect of a diseased thyroid gland on muscle function. Such ailment can be cured with the use of appropriate hormonal drugs. If myopathy it is the result of a congenital disease, unfortunately it is not completely curable. Therapy then focuses on alleviating the discomfort, for example through application dietor appropriate rehabilitation exercises.
Is it possible to cure myopathy?
Unfortunately in the case of myopathies genetic, i.e. congenital, it is not possible to completely remove the ailments. But prognosis are an individual matter for each patient, so it is worth consulting a specialist doctor as soon as possible.