Neuromuscular Diseases - Diagnosis and Treatment

 

Neuromuscular diseases are a group of neurological diseases of a progressive nature whose main characteristic and symptom is loss of strength. It is estimated that there are more than 150 types of neuromuscular diseases, mostly of genetic origin.

They are long-term, chronic diseases that cause the loss of the patient's autonomy and usually a great family and social burden. The most common symptoms of these diseases are weakness (eg loss of strength in muscles of the face, neck, arms or legs), altered sensation (eg tingling or numbness) and neuropathic pain or muscular (due to injury to the peripheral nerves or muscles, respectively). Other symptoms may be diplopia (double vision), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), muscle cramps or contractures, or due to autonomic dysfunction.

Neuromuscular diseases can appear at any age and can be genetic (caused by DNA alterations) or acquired (caused by immune-mediated, infectious, toxic, metabolic, neurodegenerative or due to compression or trauma).

Board-certified neurologist David Schick diagnoses and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and the involuntary nervous system that controls the heart, lungs and other organs. They treat headaches, stroke, dementia, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders and neuromuscular diseases.

Most Common Neuromuscular Diseases

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, myasthenia, and muscular dystrophies are the most prevalent neuromuscular diseases, explains David Schick. The first two, ALS and muscular dystrophy, are among the main causes of disability in the United States. More than half of those affected by a neuromuscular disease have a Grade III Dependence.

ALS is the third most common neurodegenerative disease, behind dementia and Parkinson's. They are disabling diseases with a high socio-health cost.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Since the symptoms described above can be due to different neurological diseases, an initial evaluation by a neurologist specialized in neuromuscular diseases is necessary through a thorough medical history and neurological examination.

Next, diagnostic tests such as laboratory tests, neurophysiological studies (nerve conduction studies and electromyography), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI of the central nervous system, nerve plexuses or muscles), muscle or nerve biopsy, or genetic studies may be necessary. .

Once the diagnosis is established, an individualized treatment plan is indicated, which may include pharmacological treatments and rehabilitative treatment in coordination with the Neuro-rehabilitation Unit, and the need for follow-up to evaluate the evolution and response to treatment.

New York Neurologist David Schick has special experience in the evaluation of complex or difficult-to-diagnose cases, including second opinions.