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.