Disease of the muscular system, or myopathy, occurs when the muscle fibers do not function properly, according to "Disorders of Voluntary Muscles." As a result, weakness and decreased muscle mass often ensue. The disease happens among skeletal muscles, or those muscles that are involved in movement. Muscular disease may be inherited or a result of another disorder.
Early Symptoms
Early symptoms of muscular disease include muscle weakness, tenderness, pain and fatigue. Sometimes people with muscular disease have difficulty walking, holding onto things or getting out of a chair.
Muscle Atrophy
Muscle atrophy is decreased muscle mass. Partial or complete deterioration of muscle may occur from muscular disease. Muscle atrophy leads to muscle weakness. The wasting of muscle mass may result in several diseases, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Neuromuscular Diseases
Neuromuscular diseases affect the muscles and the nerves controlling muscles, as described in "Neuromuscular Disorders." Paralysis or stiff and rigid muscles, or spasticity, may arise from problems with the nerves that influence muscles. Movement difficulties may develop from disorders of the nervous system, such as stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Muscular Dystrophies
Muscular dystrophies are muscular diseases that are inherited and characterized by progressive loss of muscle tissue and strength. The symptoms vary depending upon the type of muscular dystrophy. Sometimes all of the muscles are affected. Other cases may involve only some muscles in a specific area of the body. Some types of muscular dystrophies, include Becker, Duchenne, Emery-Dreifuss, fasioscapulohumeral, limb girdle and myotonic dystrophy.
Diagnostic Procedures
A neurological exam often detects muscular disease. The neurological exam includes testing an individual's ability to walk, coordination, ability to get up from sitting and knee jerk reactions. Other diagnostic procedures include testing muscle protein levels in the blood and measuring the muscles' electrical activity. Sometimes a muscle biopsy is done to identify muscular disease. Genetic testing may also be done for those types of muscular disease that are inherited.
Treatment
The goals of muscular disease treatment are to relieve symptoms and slow the disease's progression. Treatment of muscular disease varies depending upon the cause. Medications are often prescribed to help treat muscular disease. Corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed for muscular dystrophy to help keep individuals walking for as along as possible. Physical therapy can help individuals with muscular disease to maintain muscle strength. Individuals with muscular disease are often recommended to be as active as possible as inactivity can worsen physical condition. Mobility and self-care can be improved through the use of orthopedic appliances, such as braces and wheelchairs. In some cases, surgery on the spine or legs may help improve movement and functioning.
References
- "Disorders of Voluntary Muscles"; George Karpati, David Hilton-Jones and Robert Griggs; 2001.
- "Neuromuscular Disorders"; Anthony Amato and James Russell; 2008.
