MUSCULAR DISEASES

FIBROSIS
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the tissue in the lungs become gets thick and stiff and
scarred over time. This condition makes it hard to catch your breath, and hard for your blood to get
enough oxygen. Environmental pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and
interstitial lung disease can cause fibrosis.

FIBROSITIS
Fibrositis is characterised by chronic widespread aches and pains in the muscles, muscle sheath and
connective tissues of tendons, muscles, bones and joints. These pain and stiffness is associated with
tenderness that may affect the whole body and even restricted certain parts of the body.
Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Men are more likely to develop myofascial
pain or fibromyalgia in a particular area from a work related or sports muscle strain injury.

FIBROMYALGIA
Fibromyalgia is characterised musculoskeletal pain associated with fatigue as well as memory and
mood issues. It is believed that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the
brain processes pain signals. Symptoms often begin after a physical trauma, surgery, or infection.
Women are more likely to develop this muscular disease than men are.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Muscular dystrophy is a group of muscular diseases that cause progressive loss of muscle mass
leading to weakness. Often times the normal genes interfere with the production of proteins needed
to form healthy muscle.
Myotonic
The most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. Myotonic muscular dystrophy affects both
men and women, and usually appears between early childhood and adulthood. The name refers to a
symptom, myotonia which is the prolonged spasm or stiffening of muscles after their use, which is
often worse in cold temperatures. The disease causes muscle weakness and even affects the central
nervous system, the heart, the gastrointestinal tract, the eyes, and the hormone-producing glands
like the pancreas.
Duchenne
Duchenne is most common in children, and only affects men. It often appears between the ages of 2
and 6. The muscles decrease in size and grow weaker over time, but they appear larger. In most
cases the arms, the legs, and the spine become progressively deformed, and some cognitive
impairment is apparent. Severe breathing and heart problems mark the later stages of the disease.

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

This disease is characterised by the weakness and the rapid fatigue of the skeletal muscles.
Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and
muscles. Treatment relieves the signs and symptoms, but there still no cure for the disease.
REFERENCES:
Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015, from http://
www.mayoclinic.org/
WebMD - Better information. Better health. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015.