Neuromuscular Disease in Brooklyn, NY
Neuromuscular disease is a broad umbrella term which encompasses various diseases, ailments, and conditions which affect the neuromuscular system and cause it to malfunction. This system includes the voluntary muscles and their movements and the neurons which are responsible for the communication between the nerves and muscles. Neurologists, who specialize in disorders of the nervous system, treat neuromuscular diseases and disorders.
Common Neuromuscular Disorders
- Multiple sclerosis : This disease affects the brain and spine and causes muscle weakness, coordination issues, numbness or pins and needles, memory problems, and visual disturbances. There is no known cause of MS.
- Spinal muscular atrophy : This genetic disease can be fatal but is often treatable with help from a neurologist. Depending on the type of spinal muscular atrophy, the condition may affect breathing, walking, swallowing, and head control.
- Myasthenia gravis : This disease causes the voluntary muscles to become weakened and often affects the facial muscles. This condition is an autoimmune disease.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): ALS attacks the nerve cells which transmit messages to the spinal cord and brain. ALS often affects speaking, writing, and walking. As the disease progresses, it causes severe muscle weakness which results in severe respiratory problems. ALS usually appears from ages 40 to 60 and affects men more often than women.
Diagnosing Neuromuscular Disease
Diagnosing neuromuscular diseases often begins with a simple physical examination to assess the patient’s symptoms. Blood testing can further investigate these symptoms by looking into chemical levels and antigen production. EMG testing is commonly used to rule out other disorders and ensure that the symptoms are truly neuromuscular in nature.
Neuromuscular Disease Treatments
Treating neuromuscular diseases depends on the condition, its severity, and the patient. Certain medications like immunosuppressives and anticonvulsants can help manage the symptoms of a neuromuscular disease. Your neurologist Dr. Anna Kogan may refer you to another specialist for things like surgeries, speech therapy, or occupational therapies. Continued education and counseling for both patients and their loved ones can help them live with their neuromuscular disease, learn how to manage their symptoms, and get the most out of their daily lives.
Are you interested in rectifying neuromuscular disease? Call Neurology Center of New York at (718) 758-5777 for more information today! We are located in Brooklyn, NY serving serving Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Bushwick.
