Download Muscular Disorders and Diseases

MUSCULAR DISORDERS AND
DISEASES
WHAT IS RIGOR MORTIS?
A few hours after a person or animal dies, the joints of the body stiffen and
become locked in place. This stiffening is called rigor mortis. Depending
on temperature and other conditions, rigor mortis lasts approximately 72
hours. The phenomenon is caused by the skeletal muscles partially
contracting. The muscles are unable to relax, so the joints become fixed in
place.
WHAT IS TETANUS?
 Caused
by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.
Tetanus causes cholinesterase to not break down
the acetylcholine in the synapse. This results in a
person's muscles contracting and not relaxing.
A tetanus shot
must be
administered
shortly after
exposure to
the bacteria.
Once you
develop tetanus,
there is no cure.
WHAT IS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?
Expressed mostly in boys,
usually diagnosed between 2
and 7.
Causes children to become
clumsy and fall frequently due
to muscle weakening.
Progresses from the
extremities upward, finally
affecting the head and chest
muscles.
Rarely live beyond twenties
and typically die from
respiratory failure. Lack the
protein dystrophin, which
maintains the sarcolemma.
Physical therapy is used to
slow progress of disease
WHAT IS MYASTHENIA GRAVIS?
Causes the upper eyelids to droop,
difficulty swallowing and talking,
muscle weakness and fatigue.
Result of a shortage of ACh
receptors at neuromuscular
junctions.
Considered an autoimmune (body
attacks itself) disease, usually die
from respiratory failure.
No cure, and treatment is
supportive
WHAT IS BELL’S PALSY
Causes paralysis of facial
muscles as a result of
damage or disease of the
facial nerve. Relationship
found between HSV and
inflammation of nerve.
Results in the face
drooping, inability to close
eye or pucker lips,
drooling and difficulty
swallowing.
Treatment not typically
needed, but corticosteroids
may reduce swelling
around the facial nerve
WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA?
Painful, nonarticular
rheumatic disorder, cause is
unknown. Affects the
connective tissue components
of muscles, tendons, and
ligaments.
Causes muscle pain, severe
fatigue, poor sleep, headaches,
depression, and the inability
to carry out daily activities.
Treatment:
Directed toward pain relief
Physical therapy, massage,
exercise, stress reduction
Medication to relax muscles
and relieve pain
WHAT IS A HERNIA?
Protrusion of an abdominal
organ through an opening
in the abdominal wall.
Usually due to weakness of
the abdominal muscles.
Has no obvious cause.
Treatment:
Can be reduced – organ is
manipulated back into
abdominal cavity either
naturally or manually or
surgically.
BOTULISM
It is a serious paralytic illness
caused by a nerve toxin that is
produced by the bacterium
Clostridium botulinum.
Causes double vision, blurred
vision, drooping eyelids, slurred
speech, difficulty swallowing, dry
mouth, and muscle weakness.
Can result in death due to
respiratory failure
Treatment:
Can be treated with an antitoxin
which blocks the action of toxin
circulating in the blood.