What is Myopathy?
The myopathies are neuromuscular disorders
in which the primary symptom is muscle
weakness due to dysfunction of muscle fiber.
Other symptoms of myopathy can include
include muscle cramps, stiffness, and spasm.
Myopathies can be inherited (such as the
muscular dystrophies) or acquired (such as
common muscle cramps). Myopathies are
grouped as follows:
congenital myopathies: characterized
by developmental delays in motor skills;
skeletal and facial abnormalities are
occasionally evident at birth
muscular dystrophies: characterized
by progressive weakness in voluntary
muscles; sometimes evident at birth
mitochondrial myopathies: caused by
genetic abnormalities in mitochondria,
cellular structures that control energy;
include Kearns-Sayre syndrome, MELAS and
MERRF
glycogen storage diseases of muscle:
caused by mutations in genes controlling
enzymes that metabolize glycogen and glucose
(blood sugar); include Pompe's, Andersen's
and Cori's diseases
myoglobinurias: caused by disorders
in the metabolism of a fuel (myoglobin)
necessary for muscle work; include McArdle,
Tarui, and DiMauro diseases
dermatomyositis: an inflammatory
myopathy of skin and muscle
myositis ossificans: characterized by
bone growing in muscle tissue
familial periodic paralysis:
characterized by episodes of weakness in the
arms and legs
polymyositis, inclusion body myositis,
and related myopathies: inflammatory
myopathies of skeletal muscle
neuromyotonia: characterized by
alternating episodes of twitching and
stiffness; and
stiff-man syndrome: characterized by
episodes of rigidity and reflex spasms
common muscle cramps and stiffness,
and
tetany: characterized by
prolonged spasms of the arms and legs
Is there any treatment?
Treatments for the myopathies depend on
the disease or condition and specific
causes. Supportive and symptomatic
treatment may be the only treatment
available or necessary for some
disorders. Treatment for other disorders
may include drug therapy, such as
immunosuppressives, physical therapy,
bracing to support weakened muscles, and
surgery.