Neuromuscular diseases cause problems with the nerves and muscles that affect how a person’s muscles work. Typically causing muscle weakness, neuromuscular disorders may affect the:

• Nerves that control different kinds of muscles
• Muscles
• Way nerves and muscles communicate with each other

What causes neuromuscular disorders/diseases?

Some neuromuscular disorders are genetic (hereditary) while others are not. Some may be caused by other diseases or an autoimmune reaction where the body’s immune system attacks itself. Other neuromuscular diseases are caused by injuries, including injuries at birth.

What are the symptoms of a neuromuscular disorder?

Symptoms of a neuromuscular disorder can appear at any stage of life, from birth to adulthood. Depending on the type of neuromuscular condition, symptoms vary. In most cases, the symptoms get worse over time. The most common signs of a neuromuscular disorder include:

• Muscle weakness in the arms or legs
• Loss of balance or trouble walking
• Problems with movement
• Loss of reflexes
• Aches, pains, twitching or cramping in muscles
• Tingling or numbness
• Lack of muscle tone or decreased muscle size
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble breathing
• Droopy eyelids
• Double vision

What are some neuromuscular disorders?

Some neuromuscular diseases include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, twitching and difficulty with speech and breathing. While ALS can occur at any age, most diagnoses are in adults ages 40-70.
• Muscular dystrophy: Like ALS, muscular dystrophy is progressive and comes in many types, all causing weakening and degeneration of skeletal muscles. Depending on the type of muscular dystrophy, symptoms can appear from infancy to adulthood. Symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common form, generally start in children ages 2-5.
• Myasthenia gravis (MG): An autoimmune disease, MG causes fluctuating muscle weakness, particularly in the eyes, face and limbs. Symptoms of MG are most seen in women under the age of 40 and men over 60.
• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): A genetic disease, SMA affects the motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and atrophy, mainly in the limbs and central part of the body (trunk). SMA symptoms are generally experienced in young children from birth to 18 months of age. However, some types of SMA may not present symptoms until adolescence and into adulthood.

If you have more questions, have a family history of neuromuscular disease or you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, schedule an appointment with a neurologist. A neurologist assesses your family history and risks, examines you and orders appropriate tests to diagnose you in a timely and accurate manner.