Muscular Diseases for Science Olympiad Anatomy/Physiology 2025

myasthenia gravis

-causes muscles under muscular control to feel weak and get tired quickly

-majority get ptosis (drooping of eyelids), can also affect face, neck, and limb muscles

-caused by breakdown of communication between nerves and muscles

-autoimmune disease (destruction of acetylcholine receptors)

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome

-immune system attacks calcium channels on nerve endings needs to release acetylcholine

-muscle weakness

-autonomic nervous system dysfunction

-often associated with small cell lung cancer

polymyalgia rheumatica

-inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness

-symptoms begin quickly and are worse in the morning

-mostly affects people aged 65+

-related to giant cell arteritits

-corticosteroids, calcium, vitamin D, methotrexate, physical therapy for treatment

polymyositis

-uncommon inflammatory disease that affects both sides of the body

-proximal muscle weakness

-affects middle-aged adults

-autoimmune

dermatomyositis

-uncommon inflammatory disease

- proximal muscle weakness

- itchy and painful violet/dusky-red rash

-affects adults and children

-autoimmune

botulism

-caused by toxin produced by clostridium botulinum

-3 common forms are foodborne, wound, and infant

-trouble swallowing/breathing, facial weakness, blurred/double vision, drooping eyelids, paralysis

-antitoxin, antibiotics for treatment

tetanus

-uncommon infection caused by bacterium Clostridium tetani

-first sign is "lockjaw" spasms of the jaw, occurs 3-21 days after exposure

-involuntary muscle spasms, stiffness, seizures, fever, headache, blood pressure and heart rate changes

-TIG (tetanus immune globule), antibiotics, wound care for treatment

-vaccine exists

poliomyelitis

-caused by poliovirus

-mild or no systems in most people, but can cause paralysis or death

-vaccine exists

-types 2 and 3 eradicated, type 1 still exists

fibromyalgia

-widespread musculoskeletal pain

-fatigue, sleep, memory, mood issues

-more common in women

-diagnostic criteria essentially widespread pain for at least 3 months

-cause unknown

-pain reliever, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs can be used for treatment though cure unknown

chronic fatigue syndrome

-aka Myalgic encephalomyelitis

-extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months

-symptoms worsen with physical or mental activity but don't fully improve with rest

-cause unknown

-no cure

carpal tunnel syndrome

-caused by pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist

-tingling and numbness in the fingers/hand

-weakness in the hand

-refrain from agitating activity, splints, steroids, surgery for treatment