CHAPTER MYOPATHY

Myopathy

Conditions affecting the muscles that lead to weakness and/or atrophy.

Rhabdomyolysis

A complex medical condition involving the rapid dissolution of damaged or injured skeletal muscle.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

An X-linked recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness due to mutations in the dystrophin gene.

CK (Creatine Kinase)

An enzyme used as a marker of skeletal muscle damage, with elevated levels indicating muscle injury.

Electrolyte Imbalance

A disruption in the balance of electrolytes necessary for neuromuscular function, potentially leading to muscle weakness.

Gowers sign

A clinical sign where a person uses their hands to push off their knees to stand, indicating proximal muscle weakness.

Anoxia

A deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can lead to muscle damage.

Myoglobin

A protein that stores oxygen in muscle cells and is released into the plasma during muscle injury.

Hyperkalaemia

An elevated level of potassium in the blood, which can occur following muscle cell damage.

Pathophysiology

The study of the disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury.