Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disease that affects part of the nervous system responsible for controlling contractions of arbitrary muscles. This is due to the death of nerve cells of the spinal cord - motoneurons. The disease develops at different ages, and each person has an individual.
Symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy
There are several main signs of the disease. Unfortunately, they appear only when the disease has already begun to progress. These include:
- weakness in the extremities , mostly lower;
- muscle spasms, a slight tremor of fingers on the hands;
- change in the structure of tissues;
- problems with the pelvic region.
Spinal muscular atrophy is characterized by problems with the musculature of the legs, neck and head. Patients may have an ailment in arbitrary movements: walking, swallowing, head movement. At the same time, sensitivity remains and there are no problems in mental development.
Diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy
For the initial examination, you need to go to a neurologist or traumatologist. The disease itself is progressing rapidly. Therefore, preliminary diagnosis should be completed as soon as possible. Due to the fact that the disease is transmitted by inheritance, the history of the next of kin is initially studied.
As usual, standard tests are given. Most often you need to undergo additional fluorography , make an x-ray of bones and muscle tissue. Experts determine the speed with which the disease develops. In addition, the functional ability and possible muscle activity is elucidated.
Causes of spinal muscular atrophy
Recently, this disease began to manifest itself more often. That's why many specialists have tried to find out the true causes of the occurrence. The thing is that in one of fifty people the altered gene in
Treatment of spinal muscular atrophy
The treatment of this ailment is aimed at the removal of symptoms. It is important to change the diet and lifestyle. Appointed with light medication, constant physical procedures and massages.