Friedreich Ataxia Detailed Information
Friedreich's Ataxia is a gradually progressive disorder of the nervous system and muscles. This condition is caused by degeneration of nerve tissue in the spinal cord and of nerves that expand to peripheral areas such as the arms and legs. Friedreich's ataxia is the most common inherited ataxia, affecting about 1 in 50,000 people in the United States. Males and females are affected equally. The first symptom to show is usually difficulty in walking, or gait ataxia. The ataxia gradually worsens and slowly spreads to the arms and then the trunk. Foot deformities such as clubfoot, flexion of the toes, hammer toes, or foot inversion may be early signs.
Over time, muscles start to weaken and waste away, especially in the feet, lower legs, and hands and deformities develop. In 85% of cases, symptoms develop before age 25, but rarely before age 5. Other symptoms comprise loss of tendon reflexes, especially in the knees and ankles. There is frequently a gradual loss of sensation in the extremities, which may spread to other parts of the body. Dysarthria (slowness and slurring of speech) develops, and the person is simply fatigued. Additional symptoms that may arise include chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
These symptoms are the consequence of different forms of heart disease that frequently accompany Friedreich's ataxia, such as cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart), myocardial fibrosis (formation of fiber-like material in the muscles of the heart), and cardiac failure. Heart rhythm abnormalities such as tachycardia (fast heart rate) and heart block (impaired conduction of cardiac impulses within the heart) are also common. There is no method to right or eliminate the extra repetitions that cause Friedreich's ataxia. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, keeping the condition from getting inferior and prolonging life.
Treatment to lower blood sugar comprises a modified diet, together with oral ant diabetic drugs or insulin. Medications for heart disease drugs include beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, and calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil. Antioxidant stuffs, such as vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and idebenone may potentially delay disease progression. Orthopedic problems such as foot deformities and scoliosis can be treated with braces or surgery. Physical therapy and occupational therapy also involve of treatment of Friedreich ataxia. Assistive Technology, such as a standing frame, can assist diminish the secondary complications of prolonged utilize of a wheelchair.
(ArticlesBase SC #555731)
Article Tags:
Friedreich Ataxia Information
,Friedreich Ataxia Treatment Methods
,Get Rid of Friedreich Ataxia
All about Laser Skin Resurfacing
What can lasers do for you? If you've got a skin woe, you'll want to find out! (01:00)
Hepatitis b is a viral disease, which is not very widely spread.It is caused by the HBV virus, and is most widely spread in regions, where the hygiene is poor. If you have hepatitis b you may have no symptoms whatsoever for the first few months of the disease. But it doesn't mean it isn't spreading. That's why it's important to find a way to eliminate the virus from your system. There are a couple of ways, which are currently used to treat this infection.
Food is one of the main factors that directly affect blood sugar levels - and controllable. A healthy diet, however, automatically mean that it should be deprived of your favorite foods and to sacrifice for the sake of a life by tasteless food, took meals.
Thyroid gland produces three basic and very important to hormones thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin. Of these, calcitonin plays an important role in regulating calcium metabolism in our bodies and that in recent years used.
Have you ever worried over the fact that your friends and colleagues sweat much lesse than you.
To be an addict may originate from many reasons that can be hereditary or environmental. To start the consumption of alcohol is not considered as a good habit but if sometimes the habit has produced then to treat these types of problems various treatment centers are available those have proven to be successful for many of the addicts. The various facilities are available to make the patient comfortable at that place. The therapies and the support programs are provided to the addict for t
The syndrome of the Sleeping Beauty, a nickname for Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a strange and rare neurological disorder that causes prolonged episodes of sleep and / or behavior. Doctors not yet know the cause or even cure diseases like perspective that makes it frightening for diagnosis.
Gastric pain is not something a person should have to live with. In fact, it is quite possible that it may be a sign of serious complications that should be checked out by a physician. Read on to find out why.
If you're suffering from liver cirrhosis, then you probably want to find a cirrhosis diet that will allow to get your body back on track and feeling healthy again. And is that even possible?
Necrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. The illness is most common among premature newborns. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurs in approximately 25,000 babies per year.
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious. Measles is a fatal disease that impacts vulnerable children around the world. Measles is a contagious illness caused by a virus (paramyxovirus).
Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite, Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells. Infected mosquitoes spread it. People with malaria frequently experience fever, chills, and flu-like disease.
Malakoplakia is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disorder. Malakoplakia is inflammatory condition which makes its presence known as a papule, plaque or ulceration that generally affects the genitourinary tract.
Maffucci syndrome is a really rare disorder. Maffucci syndrome is a disorder which affects the skin and skeleton, causing benign cartilage tumors, bone deformities, and dark hemangiomas to grow
Nelson's syndrome is a rare condition. Nelson syndrome is a disorder characterized by abnormal hormone secretion, extension of the pituitary gland (hypophysis), and the development of big and invasive growths known as adenomas.
Nephrocalcinosis is a kidney disorder in which there is an increased amount of calcium in the kidneys.
0