- Allergy treatment
- Antimicrobials for systemic use
- Antiparasitic drugs
- Cardiovascular system
- Dermatology
- Drugs affecting metabolism
- Drugs used in sensory organ disorders
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Haemopoietic system and blood
- Locomotor system
- Nervous system
- Respiratory system
- Systemic hormones
- Urogenital system and Sexual hormones
Locomotor system
- Locomotor system overview
- Bone disease
- Muscle disease
Muscle diseases include a group of different diseases that affect the structure and function of muscle tissue. They include primary muscle diseases and secondary associated with deficiency of vitamins, hormonal and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, diseases of the blood vessels, nerves and nutritional imbalance. Muscle diseases may lead to vision impairment, respiratory and erectile dysfunction, atony of internal organs and etc. The most common muscle diseases include:
Myopathy is a degenerative muscle disease not associated with nerve damage. The disease manifest in muscular weakness caused by drugs side effects, poisoning, infectious diseases or chronic disorders of the immune system. Muscle cramps, stiffness, spasms are possible with myopathy.
Fibromyalgia is a common diseases characterized muscle pain, fatigue and multiple tender points (specific painful places located on lower legs, hips, back, shoulders, neck). The exact cause of the disease remains unknown. It is believed that genetic factors and intraneuronal trasnsmission are involved in Fibromyalgia pathogenesis. It affects more women than men, mostly between ages 20 and 50. It is observed in 3-10% of the general population.
Muscular dystrophy is a very severe disease manifested in excessive muscular weakness. Over time muscles break down and are replaced with fat tissue. In most cases muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease and is inherited.
Dermatomyositis includes a group of diseases associated with muscle inflammation. Dermatomyositis (DM) is a connective-tissue disease related to polymyositis. It is believed that Dermatomyositis develops as a result of autoimmune reaction or may have viral origin (Epstein-Barr virus). The main symptom of the disease include skin rash and muscle weakness sometimes accompanied by pain.
Polymyositis is a systemic diseases of connective tissue. The disease is characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in the muscle tissue resulting in muscular weakness and atrophy. The disease is common for women, however men can also frequently suffer from this disease.
Rhabdomyolysis is a severe muscle disease characterized by breakdown of muscle tissue and release of fibers (a protein myoglobin) into the blood circulation. This may frequently result in renal toxicity and kidney damage.
Among joint diseases rheumatoid arthritis occupies a leading place. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is autoimmune disease characterized by swelling, pain, stiffness and joints destruction. Scientists estimate that about 2.1 million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis. The disease generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern meaning that it can affect both extremities. More frequently RA damages wrists and finger joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of rheumatoid arthritis characterized by chronic inflammation and damage to the joints of the spine and pelvis. It eventually causes the affected vertebrae to fuse or grow together.
Gout or podagra is another form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals (due to hyperuricemia) in joints. More frequently the disease affects only one joints, commonly the big toe. Pain is associated with the formation of crystals in joints and inflammation of tissue that surrounds joints.
The treatment of musculoskeletal is based on symptoms (symptomatic treatment) and determination of the exact cause of the disease. The treatment usually includes drug therapy and life style changes, appropriate nutrition, physical exercises and certain medical procedures (physiotherapy, photoradiotherapy and others).
