Progressive muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, loss of coordination, balance problems and walking difficulties are the characteristics of many diseases. These symptoms and signs may arise from any disturbance of muscle function, whether it is the injury of the muscle itself or the disturbance of nerve impulses that regulate muscle movement. Therefore, diseases that seem to cause similar symptoms, such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis, may have completely different root causes. In addition, the treatment of these conditions may be quite different.
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span= "article-image inner caption-class"> multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy are different diseases treated by different methods.
(Image: Hemera technologies/ablestock.com/getty images) causes multiple sclerosis when the immune system attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The damage caused by this autoimmune activity can lead to problems in vision, intestinal and bladder control, sensation and muscle function. It is not clear what initially stimulated the immune system to attack nerve cells.
Muscular dystrophy-Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Baker muscular dystrophy, band muscular dystrophy, etc. -is a hereditary disease that can cause specific protein abnormalities in muscle cells. Over time, these defective proteins can lead to a gradual loss of muscle function. Unlike multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy does not damage the nerves of the central nervous system. Muscle atrophy patients often have hormone and metabolic abnormalities, such as low testosterone levels and insulin resistance. Diagnostic methods
According to a review in the Neurological Yearbook in 2011, multiple sclerosis can be diagnosed according to your symptoms and physical examination. If your neurological problems develop over time and involve more than one body area -- "time travel" and "space travel" -- you may have multiple sclerosis. Magnetic resonance imaging and fluid extracted from the spine can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Like multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy can often be diagnosed according to your symptoms and physical manifestations. Electrical studies to assess muscle function, blood tests to detect muscle damage, and muscle biopsies are commonly used by doctors to confirm the diagnosis of muscular atrophy. Therapeutic methods There are many treatments for multiple sclerosis patients, most of which are designed to suppress overactive immune system. According to a review in the 2012 Journal of Neurological Diseases, some treatments, such as Tysabri, Copaxone and Gilenya, target specific immune components that damage nerve cells. Other drugs, such as interferon beta (rebif) and corticosteroids, can alter or inhibit your overall immune response. Depending on the type of multiple sclerosis you have, some of these treatments can help you maintain a relatively normal lifestyle for a few years. There is no effective treatment for muscular dystrophy at present. In some types of muscular atrophy, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, daily doses of corticosteroids can improve muscle strength and slow progress. However, this treatment will not change the long-term course of the disease. Physics and occupational therapy, braces and surgery help people cope with their disabilities. Gene therapy is a promising research field, which includes the replacement of defective genes causing muscular dystrophy with normal genes. Multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy can occur at different stages of life and severity. Most types of multiple sclerosis and some types of muscular dystrophy, such as limb band dystrophy, are relatively mild and tend to progress slowly. Advances in treatment have enabled most MS patients to live a normal life. On the contrary, more severe multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, such as primary progressive multiple sclerosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, can lead to death within a few years. Respiratory failure caused by progressive myasthenia is a common cause of death in patients with muscular dystrophy, although heart failure and arrhythmia may also play a role. Respiratory failure and infection, such as pneumonia, may lead to death in patients with severe ms, but they are ineffective for treatment. Multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy can occur in childhood or adulthood. However, the onset age of multiple sclerosis is mostly between 20 and 40 years old, and most types of muscular dystrophy occur in children or adolescents. In most cases, the distinction between multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy is simple.
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