If someone is diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease, depending on the person and depending on which cells of the body are affected, symptoms may include: Poor growth Loss of muscle coordination, muscle weakness Visual and/or hearing problems Developmental delays, learning disabilities Mental retardation Heart, liver or kidney disease Gastrointestinal disorders, severe constipation Respiratory disorders Diabetes Increased risk of infection Neurological problems, seizures Thyroid dysfunction Dementia In school, children with mitochondrial disease often seem to work in “spurts” and then “peter out,” becoming lethargic and finding it difficult to concentrate. It is essential to understand that these periods of fatigue are not due to the child “zoning out,” but rather total exhaustion from deep within the cellular level of their existence. It ranges from intermittent difficulty thinking, remembering, moving and acting, to severe handicaps. Some results may be fatigue, muscle weakness and diabetes. And all this is overlaid by good and bad days caused by significant inconsistency-like the electricity flickering in different areas of a community. Though the impression most have of mitochondrial disease is a disorder that presents itself at birth, it can appear at any age. For some it develops over time. We’re learning it’s not at all rare but, due to a lack of physician and public awareness, this disease is not often diagnosed. Only in the past 10 years, with advances in genetics and molecular biology, have we a better understanding of the complexity in mitochondrial disorders. Even so, the definitive cause (or causes) of mitochondrial disease continues to evolve. 1 in 2,500-3,000 are affected by mitochondrial disease 1 in 2,500 are affected by Cystic Fibrosis 1 in 110 individuals are affected by Autism 1 in 500 are affected by Parkinson’s 1 in 85 are affected by Alzheimer’s 1 in 25,000 are affected by Leigh’s Disease, a fatal form of mitochondrial disease 1 in 50,000 are affected by Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) umdf.org
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:23:12 +0000
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