DMD and ALS Assignment

nName

nInstitution

nDate

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nDuchene muscular dystrophy (DMD)

nDMD is a hereditary disease that causes muscle weakening. Children suffering from the disease are usually late walkers. The early symptoms include inflamed calf muscles. The inflammation is called pseudo hypertrophy since the muscle tends to be abnormal because they contain scar tissue. Affected children often fall down and seem awkward (c. health, 2014). Other early symptoms include difficulties while climbing stairs or running. When a child is at school age, they walk on the balls or toes of their feet and usually fall regularly (Mayo Clinic, 2014).

nLate symptoms include continuous walking difficulties and may lose the ability to walk by the age of 12. By the age of 20 years, difficulties to breath and heart illness begins.

nDMD is caused by a malfunctioning gene for the muscle protein known as dystrophin. It is a hereditary disease, which affect boys only because females are carriers of the defective gene. Female carriers have a 50 percent chance to pass the disease to their sons while daughters have a 50 percent chance of being carriers (Mayo Clinic, 2014).

nThe disease has no known cure. Steroid therapy is used to reduce the rate of loss of muscle strength. It begins when the strength of the muscle starts to reduce or when he is diagnosed (c. health, 2014). Moreover, gene therapy and stem cell are applied in the future. Treatment using steroid drugs utilizes drugs such as carnitine, and albuterol. In addition, new treatments involve drugs such as beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme.

nAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

nALS is a disease that affects the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord and the upper motor neuron in the brain. During the early stages of the disease, the early symptoms include weak and soft, spastic and tight muscles (NIH, 2014). Twitching and cramping of muscle happens due to atrophy. Symptoms may occur in specific parts of the body or mild symptoms influence the whole body. It may also cause poor balance, weak grip and fatigue. Late symptoms include paralysis of involuntary muscles (NIH, 2014). Besides, the mobility is reduced significantly and eating and speech are affected. It also leads to respiratory insufficiency and headaches.

nALS is caused by the gradual death of nerve cells that regulate movement of muscles. Therefore, the muscle continuously weakens and starts to waste away. Gene mutation and chemical imbalance can lead to the disease. Physical therapy assists to relieve pain in muscles and relieving cramping (NIH, 2014). Speech therapy support patients to shallow high-energy diets. Treatments involve the use of riluzole and baclofen that helps to reduce the loss of muscle strength and relieve spasticity.

nSummary

nDMD ALS

nEarly symptoms Enlarged calf muscles, difficulties while climbing stairs or running and frequent fall Weak and soft, spastic and tight muscles, Twitching and cramping of muscle

nLate symptoms Lose the ability to walk by the age of 12. Difficulty of breath and heart problems by 20 years Paralysis of involuntary muscles, immobility, speech and eating difficulties

nCauses Defective gene for muscle protein (dystrophin) Gradual death of nerve cells

nCurrent therapies (at least 2 for each) Steroid therapy

nGene therapy Physical therapy

nSpeech therapy

nNew treatments (at least 2 for each) carnitine, and albuterol

nbeta blockers Riluzole, and baclofen

nReferences

nc.health,. (2014). Muscular Dystrophy – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis – Condition Factsheets – C-Health. Chealth.canoe.ca. Retrieved 1 December 2014, from http://chealth.canoe.ca/condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=91

nMayo Clinic,. (2014). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Symptoms – Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 1 December 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/basics/symptoms/con-20024397

nNIH,. (2014). Duchenne muscular dystrophy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 1 December 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000705.htm