the musclular system: conditions/disorders

Botulism

Rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Spreads through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing or speaking, facial weakness, and paralysis. Antitoxin treatment needed.

Compartment syndrome

A painful and dangerous condition caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues. Symptoms may include severe pain, sensation of pins and needles, and weakness of the affected area. Severe? Surgery.

Fibrodysplagia ossificans progresiva

A disorder in which muscle tissue and connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments are gradually replaced by bone (ossified), forming bone outside the skeleton (extra-skeletal or heterotopic bone) than constrains movement. The average lifespan for FOP patients is 56 years.

Fibromyalgia

Disorder with chronic, widespread musculoskeletal (MS) pain and fatigue. “Deep, persistent ache.” Tender points. Often begins after trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress.

Muscle ischemia

An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body. Within muscles causes cramping or cell damage.

Mitochondrial diseases

Often inherited. Can cause a vast array of health concerns, including fatigue, weakness, metabolic strokes, seizures, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, developmental or cognitive disabilities, diabetes mellitus, impairment of hearing, vision, growth, liver, gastrointestinal, or kidney function, and more.

Muscular dystrophy

Umbrella term for a series of disorders involving mutations in DNA coding for dystrophin proteins. Characterized by progressive weakness and degradation of the skeletal muscles (voluntary), sometimes the involuntary in some cases. No cure. Early childhood difficulty with balance and motion, inability to walk. Continues progressing upward in the body from the lower extremities to the upper body, where it affects the muscles responsible for breathing and circulation. Respiratory failure. Do not usually live past their 20’s.

Rotator cuff injury

Effects a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. These injuries are common and increase with age.

Sarcopenia

An age related, involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.

Tetanus

An infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tentani. When the bacteria invades the body, they produce a poison (toxin) that causes painful muscle contractions. Another name for this condition is “lockjaw.” A vaccine can easily prevent an infection, which has no cure. This condition causes painful muscle contractions, particularly in the jaw and neck.