MUSCLE DISEASES

Myopathy, or muscle diseases, are disorders that cause functional and activity deficiencies, manifesting as muscle weakness, progressive muscle atrophy, pain, and cramping. Although generally considered genetic, muscle diseases can also develop due to external factors, and they develop due to muscle fiber disease.

Even if the disorder causing muscle diseases is present from birth, in some cases it may not manifest itself. Therefore, even if muscle diseases are present at birth, they can develop later in life in some patients.

A definitive diagnosis of muscle diseases can only be made after an examination by a specialist and subsequent tests. In addition to understanding the patient’s family history, blood tests that include muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase, and electromyography measurements that measure muscle and nerve function are important for establishing a diagnosis. In addition to these tests, genetic testing and a muscle biopsy are also necessary. Currently, physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches play a significant role in diseases that have no definitive cure.

THE MOST COMMON MUSCLE DISEASES ARE:

Progressive muscular dystrophies, especially Duchenne and Becker types

Myotonic dystrophy

Congenital myopathies

Metabolic myopathies

Mitochondrial muscle diseases

Inflammatory muscle diseases such as polymyositis