Muscular System Diseases

1. Muscular Dystrophy
In this genetic disease, a group of muscle diseases cause the damage of muscle fiber. There is no
specific cure for it and the symptoms include weakness, immobility and imbalance. The common
diseases under this category are Duchenne, Myotonia, Becker, Limb Girdle and
Oculopharyngeal.
2. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a very common congenital disorder that affects the posture, balance and motor
functions. Muscle tone is lost during pregnancy or during child birth. Physical tasks become
difficult because of this disorder.
3. Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
In this muscular system disease, soft tissue hardens and becomes bone-like permanently. Bone
grows between joints and movements get permanently restricted. There is no effective cure
available. Only pain management can be done through medication.
4. Dermatomyositis
In this condition, there is inflammatory myopathy affecting skin and muscle. It is an autoimmune
disease harming the connective tissue and weakening the muscles. There is no cure for this
condition, but the progression can be controlled by taking corticosteroids and
immunosuppressive drugs.
5. Compartment Syndrome
The blood vessels, muscles and nerves get compressed in a closed area, which ends up in cutting
off the oxygen supply. The result is tissue death which can even lead to paralysis. Immediate
treatment is the surgery known as fasciotomy. The pressure on muscles will be released after the
surgery.
6. Myasthenia Gravis
In this autoimmune disease, there is muscle weakness and fatigue which are caused by
breakdown of the neuromuscular junction. Therefore, the brain does not have control over these
muscles. It can cause drooping eyelids, difficulty in breathing or swallowing and loss of facial
muscle control. Treatment could be done with medication or surgery.
7. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
This is a very serious neurodegenerative disease and is also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. The
neurons get destroyed and thus there is loss of control on voluntary muscles. Initial symptoms
include difficulty in breathing, speaking and swallowing. Paralysis is also an advanced stage
symptom.
8. Mitochondrial Myopathies
The mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells. But in this condition, the mitochondria get
damaged. It results in weakness of muscles, deafness, blindness, arrhythmia and heart failure.
Sometimes it can cause seizures, dementia, vomiting and droopy eyelids. Nausea, headache and
difficulty in breathing are some other symptoms.

9. Rhabdomyolysis
This particular muscular system disease has rapid destruction of the skeletal muscle. The muscle
fibers break down into myoglobin which gets excreted in urine. Muscle weakness, pain and
stiffness are seen. Treatment is possible when it is detected in early stages by means of IV fluids,
dialysis or hemofiltration.
10. Polymyositis
Polymyositis is degenerative and inflammatory in nature. It affects the systemic connective tissue
causing weakness and muscle atrophy.
11. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and debilitating muscle disorder. It causes pain, fatigue, tenderness and
stiffness of muscles. It is considered a genetic disorder and affects more women than men.
12. Myotonia
In this condition, the muscles relax slowly after stimulation or contraction. It causes problem
when grip is released and when you get up from sitting or sleeping position. Treatment includes
medication, physiotherapy and anticonvulsants.
13. Myofascial Pain Syndrome
This is a chronic pain disorder of the muscles. It causes aching and burning sensation on trigger
points which are sensitive spots of muscles. It can cause joint stiffness, knot in the muscles and
sleeplessness due to pain. This can be managed by corticosteroids, injections of botulinum,
massage and physiotherapy.
14. Rotator Cuff Tear
The shoulder muscles help in rotating the shoulder as well as move the hand in front and back.
The structural strength for this joint is due to the tendons of these muscles. Rigorous, fast or hard
movements, like that in baseball and tennis, can cause a tear in the tendon which causes pain and
reduced mobility. Torn tendon can be repaired by surgery.
15. Muscle Cramps
Cramps in muscles can occur suddenly and involuntarily, in one or more muscles. It can happen
late night or after exercising and can be caused due to a variety of reasons, lasting for seconds to
minutes. Overusing a muscle or pinching nerve can cause a cramp. Gentle massage helps
temporarily. To reduce spasms and cramps, steroids or medicines can be prescribed.
16. Sprains and Strains
Twist or pull in the muscles or tendons which can either be sudden or over a period of time may
cause sprains and strains. Back and hamstring muscles are commonly affected. This is one of the
muscular system diseases that cause pain, swelling and difficulty in movement. Rest and ice
compress are advised. Its important to keep the area immobile and take medicine for the pain.
17. Talipes
Talipes is also known as flat feet in which the muscles supporting the arch weaken and cause
flattening of the arch due to the downward pressure. There are 2 types of flat feet: rigid and
flexible. Flexible one is not painful and does not have symptoms. It can be treated by wearing
corrective footwear, exercise and massage.

18. Tendonitis
When a tendon gets inflamed or irritated, it results in tendonitis and the inflammation can occur
in any tendon of the body. However, it is seen more commonly in wrists, elbows, shoulders and
heels. It causes pain, mild swelling, tenderness and can be treated with pain relievers, rest and ice
compress.
Treatment
Although there's no cure for polymyositis, treatment can improve your muscle strength and
function. Treatment begun early in the disease process tends to be more effective, often because
there are fewer complications. Therapies include the following:
*Corticosteroids. These medications suppress your immune system, limiting the production of
antibodies and reducing muscle inflammation. These are usually first choice in assisting with
polymyositis.
*Other immunosuppressants. If your body doesn't respond adequately to corticosteroids, a doctor
may recommend other immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine (Imuran) or methotrexate
(Rheumatrex). A doctor may prescribe these alone or in combination with corticosteroids.
Physical therapy. A physical therapist can show you various exercises to maintain and improve
your strength and flexibility and advise an appropriate level of activity. Your exercise program is
likely to change during the course of the disease and treatment period. Staying active will help
maintain muscle strength.

Digestive System Diseases

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Severe heartburn in laymens language.
Weakness of the valve between the esophagus and stomach may allow stomach acid to reflux
(regurgitate, backup) into the esophagus and irritate and inflame the lining. This results in chest
pain which can mimic that of angina (pain of cardiac ischemia or an MI).
Jaundice Literally means yellow in French. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
from a backup of bile metabolic by-products from the blood into body tissues. May result from
blockage of the ducts draining bile from the liver into the intestines or excessive breakdown of
red blood cells. Hemoglobin from destroyed RBCs is broken down, and in part, ends up in bile
secretions.
Diverticulosis/diverticulitis Small pouches may form along the walls of the large intestine
called diverticuli which if symptomatic, causing discomfort to the patient, is called
diverticulosis. These abnormal outpocketings may collect and not be able to empty fecal material
which can lead to inflammation, diverticulitis.
Cirrhosis Literally, orange-yellow in Greek. A degenerative disease of the liver that often
develops in chronic alcoholics, but can have other causes. The name refers to the gross
appearance of the organ.
Portal hypertension A potential complication of chronic alcoholism resulting in liver damage
and obstruction of venous blood flow through the liver. The rising blood pressure in the veins
between the gastrointestinal tract and liver causes engorgement of veins around the umbilicus
(navel). The characteristic radiating pattern of veins is called a caput medusae (head of
Medusa). Medusa was the snake-haired lady in Greek mythology.
Esophageal varices bulging, engorged veins in the walls of the esophagus are often a
complication of chronic alcoholism (see portal hypertension). The thin-walled, swollen veins are
at risk of tearing resulting in severe, possibly fatal, bleeding.
Dysphagia Difficulty swallowing. May be related to GERD (see above), esophageal tumor or
other causes.
Crohns Disease a chronic inflammatory disease primarily of the bowel. Typical symptoms are
abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea. There may also be rectal bleeding that can lead to anemia.
Special X-rays and tests are needed to differentiate Crohns from other diseases with similar
symptoms.
Peritonitis Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity. Before antibiotics, people
would die from peritonitis if an inflamed appendix burst. Indications of peritonitis are called
peritoneal signs: tender abdomen, rebound pain (pain when manual pressure released from
examining abdomen), board-like rigidity of abdominal muscles, no bowel sounds (gurgles). The
peritoneal membrane is very sensitive to exposure to foreign substances. Contact with blood,
bile, urine, pus will cause peritoneal signs.

Gastroenterologist a physician specializing in diseases of the digestive system including

esophagus, stomach and intestines. These specialists do not do surgery. Patients needing surgery
are referred to a general surgeon.
Proctologist a physician specializing in diseases of the rectum and anus. Proctology is a
surgical subspecialty.
Guaiac test (Hemoccult, Fecult) a special chemical test to identify blood in the stool (feces).
Blood in the stool may have many causes including cancer and hemorrhoids.
Upper GI series a series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach and small intestines having
the patient swallow a milkshake of barium. The element barium is opaque, i.e. blocks , X-rays.
This procedure may be used to identify problems with swallowing, stomach ulcers, twisting of
the small intestines.
Lower GI series a series of X-rays using a barium enema to show the large intestine and
rectum. This procedure can be used to identify problems such as diverticulitis/diverticulosis, and
tumors.
Endoscopy use of a flexible fiberoptic instrument attached to a video camera that can be used
to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach and large bowel. Special names may be used for
each area explored such as colonoscopy.
Ultrasonography (ultrasound) a procedure using high frequency sound waves to visualize
internal organs. Primarily used to visualize abdominal and pelvic organs, such as the pregnant
uterus.