Muscle Disease Rehabilitation

Muscle Disease Rehabilitation

Muscle diseases (myopathies) are diseases that disrupt the structure or functioning of muscle cells, the units of muscle tissue that provide movement. They can occur at any age, from infancy to old age.

There are many types of muscle disease and many subtypes. Variables such as the genes that cause the disease, the muscles affected, the age at which symptoms first appear and the rate of disease progression are used to determine these types.

To date, there are around 500 muscle diseases that have been identified and recognized but whose exact cause remains unexplained.The majority of muscle diseases are hereditary. In this case, a genetic defect in a person's constitution disrupts the structure or function of the muscle cell. Inherited muscle diseases mostly affect infants, children or adolescents and most of them have no known cure today. A very small proportion are acquired, acquired muscle diseases.

What are the Symptoms of Muscle Disease?

In most muscle diseases, symptoms begin to appear in childhood or adolescence-teenage years.

Common symptoms

• Difficulty walking, frequent falls
• Weak muscles, muscle thinning
• Muscle cramps
• Difficulty standing up, climbing stairs, running or jumping
• Walking on tiptoes
• Falling and sagging eyelids
• Respiratory or swallowing distress
• Vision problems, double vision
• Weakness in facial muscles, mimic and chewing muscles

What are the Diagnostic Methods for Muscle Disease?

For the diagnosis, your doctor will first perform a physical examination. Muscle strength, reflexes and coordination tests help to rule out other diseases related to the nervous system. The patient's family medical history is then questioned in detail. Common investigations for diagnosis:

Blood tests In muscle diseases caused by muscle breakdown, detailed blood tests such as the level of muscle breakdown enzymes (such as CK, CK-MB, AST, ALT), blood count, blood electrolyte levels are performed.

Electromyography or EMG: The electrical activity of the nerves in the arms and legs is measured. A needle electrode is used to examine the images of the muscles during contraction and relaxation.

Muscle biopsy A small piece of muscle tissue is taken. This is examined in the laboratory to determine which proteins are missing or damaged. It helps to determine the type of muscle disease.

Electrocardiogram or ECG: Measures electrical signals from the heart and determines how fast the heart beats and whether it has a healthy rhythm.

Other imaging techniques: Imaging methods such as MRI and ultrasound, which show the quality and quantity of muscle in the body, can also be used to diagnose muscle diseases.

Genetic screening tests: Finding the genes that cause muscle disease. Genetic tests are not only helpful in diagnosis, but are also important for people who are planning to start a family or who have a family history of the disease. Discussing the meaning of genetic test results with a specialist doctor or genetic counselor is of great importance for the health of the children to be born.

Muscular Dystrophy Inheritance

Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and deterioration of muscles. Muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in proteins that form the building blocks of muscles. These mutations prevent muscles from growing and repairing normally.

The inheritance of muscular dystrophy varies depending on the type of disease. Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of the most common types of muscular dystrophy, is inherited in a recessive manner linked to the X chromosome. This causes the disease to occur only in boys. Girls can be carriers for the disease, but they usually do not show any symptoms.

About 30% of Duchenne muscular dystrophy cases are caused by genetic mutations. These mutations can occur in the embryo or in the egg.

Other types of muscular dystrophy can be inherited as autosomal dominant or recessive. Autosomal dominant inheritance occurs when a mutated gene is inherited from both parents. Autosomal recessive inheritance occurs when a mutated gene is inherited from both parents.

What is the Symptom of Muscle Weakness in Muscle Diseases?

Muscle weakness can be seen in muscle diseases in the following ways:

• Muscle pain
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle swelling
• Muscle thinning
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Difficulty lifting arms
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
  Muscle diseases can be inherited or acquired. Inherited muscle diseases are caused by genetic mutations. Acquired muscle diseases are caused by trauma, infection, medication or other health problems.

Treatment of muscle diseases depends on the type and cause of the disease. Some muscle diseases are incurable, but treatments can help slow disease progression and improve quality of life.

Types of Muscle Disease

Classification of muscle diseases is based on the cause and course of the disease and the area affecting the muscles.

Inherited Muscle Diseases

Inherited muscle diseases are caused by genetic mutations. These mutations prevent muscles from growing and repairing normally.

Inherited muscle diseases can be inherited as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X chromosome-linked.

Autosomal Dominant Inherited Muscle Diseases

Autosomal dominant inheritance occurs when a mutated gene is inherited from both parents. Such diseases usually occur equally in both sexes.

Autosomal Recessive Inherited Muscle Diseases

Autosomal recessive inheritance occurs when a mutated gene is inherited from both parents. This type of disease usually occurs in boys.

X Chromosome-Related Inherited Muscle Diseases

X chromosome-linked inheritance is caused by inheriting a mutated gene found only on the X chromosome. This type of disease usually occurs in boys. Girls can be carriers for the disease, but they usually do not show any symptoms.

How to recognize muscle disease in children?

Muscle disease in children is a group of diseases that cause weakness, weakness and thinning of the muscles. These diseases can be inherited or acquired.

Symptoms of muscle disease in children vary depending on the type and cause of the disease. However, here are some common symptoms that can be suspected in children with muscle disease:

• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
• Difficulty lifting arms
• Weakness or weakness in muscles
• Pain or cramping in the muscles
• Swelling or thinning of the muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
  It is important for people with symptoms of muscle disease in children to consult a doctor. The doctor can diagnose muscle disease by evaluating the child's history, physical examination and laboratory tests.

Laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of muscle disease in children include the following:

Blood tests Blood tests used to assess the structure and function of muscles.
Muscle biopsy: A procedure to examine muscle tissue.
Genetic tests: Tests to detect gene mutations that cause muscle diseases.
Treatment for muscle disease in children depends on the type and cause of the disease. Some muscle diseases are incurable. However, treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.

What are the Treatment Methods for Muscle Disease?

There is no definitive treatment for muscle diseases. Treatments that can reduce symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life are applied.

Physical Therapy Different exercises are used to keep the muscles strong and flexible.

Speech therapy: Patients with weak tongue and facial muscles can be taught easier ways to speak with speech therapy.

Respiratory therapy: Patients who have difficulty breathing due to muscle weakness are shown ways to facilitate breathing or the use of respiratory support machines.

Medicines that suppress the body's immune system: Medicines in this group can slow down the damage to muscle cells.

Medicines to reduce muscle contractions: These medicines are used to reduce the muscle contractions that muscle patients suffer from the most.

Muscle Disease Rehabilitation

Muscle disease rehabilitation is a treatment process designed to improve muscle strength, endurance and range of motion. Muscle diseases can cause muscles to weaken, deteriorate or decrease. This can make it difficult to do everyday activities.

The aims of muscle disease rehabilitation are:

• Increase muscle strength and endurance
• Improving the range of motion of the muscles
• Increasing mobility and independence
• Prevent complications

Applications in Muscle Disease Rehabilitation

Physical therapy Physical therapy includes exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles.
Exercise therapy: Exercise therapy helps the patient learn to exercise on their own.
Muscle strengthening exercises: Muscle strengthening exercises increase the strength and endurance of the muscles.
Stretching and stretching exercises: Stretching and stretching exercises help to improve the range of motion of the muscles.
Massage: Massage can help reduce muscle pain and tension.
Electrotherapy: Electrotherapy uses electric current to stimulate the contraction of muscles.
Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy uses the buoyancy of water to help strengthen and stretch muscles.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct the weakening or deterioration of muscles.
Muscle disease rehabilitation is tailored to the individual needs of the patient and the severity of the disease. The rehabilitation program is also adapted to the patient's age, general health and lifestyle.

Muscle diseases can be easily managed with the right treatment plan. Symptoms of muscle disease can be reduced with the right medication and physical therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Muscle Disease