Neuromuscular Conditions Flashcards
What are the early signs of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in a 3-year-old child?
Proximal muscle weakness and difficulty getting up.
What posture abnormality is often seen in a 6-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Lordotic posture
What gait pattern is typically seen in a 7-year-old child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Waddling gait.
What is the Gower sign and what condition is it associated with?
Gower sign is using hands to walk up the thighs to stand up; associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Which muscle groups are affected in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy aside from skeletal muscles?
Cardiovascular and respiratory muscles.
What causes slurred speech at the end of the day in patients with neuromuscular conditions?
Muscle fatigue leading to weakness, often seen in conditions like myasthenia gravis.
What is a common sign of myasthenia gravis related to the eyes?
Bilateral ptosis (droopy eyes).
Which muscles are often weak in facial myopathy?
Facial muscles, leading to symptoms like fluid going up the nose.
What tests are commonly used to diagnose neuromuscular conditions?
AchRAb-Acetylcholine receptor antibodies and Stimulate nerve
What is the significance of a waddling gait in muscular dystrophy?
It indicates proximal muscle weakness, especially in the pelvic girdle.
How does Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy progress in terms of muscle involvement?
It starts with proximal muscle weakness and later affects the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Why are respiratory muscles affected in neuromuscular diseases like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
The progressive nature of muscle weakening eventually involves the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles.
What age group is typically diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Children, usually diagnosed around 3 to 7 years old based on the signs of weakness and difficulty with movement.
What is the Gower sign an indication of in terms of muscle weakness?
It indicates severe proximal lower limb weakness, a hallmark of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Why might a patient with neuromuscular conditions experience fluid going up the nose?
Weakness of the facial and palatal muscles can lead to improper closure during swallowing.
What cardiovascular issues arise in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias due to the involvement of the heart muscles.
What is a key characteristic of muscular dystrophy in terms of muscle damage?
Progressive muscle degeneration and replacement by fibrous tissue and fat.
What is the significance of lordotic posture in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
It compensates for weak trunk muscles, often seen as the disease progresses.
How does respiratory failure occur in advanced stages of neuromuscular conditions?
Weakness of respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm, leads to inadequate ventilation and respiratory failure.
What are the typical symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis?
Bilateral ptosis, facial weakness, and slurred speech at the end of the day due to muscle fatigue.
What muscles are most commonly affected in Myasthenia Gravis?
The muscles controlling the eyes, face, and those involved in swallowing and speaking.
: What is the role of acetylcholine in Myasthenia Gravis?
Acetylcholine receptors are targeted by antibodies, leading to decreased neuromuscular transmission and muscle weakness.
Why does muscle weakness in Myasthenia Gravis worsen towards the end of the day?
Muscle fatigue accumulates with activity, making symptoms more pronounced by evening.
What type of muscle weakness is associated with Myasthenia Gravis?
Fluctuating muscle weakness, especially after periods of activity, improving after rest.
What are the signs of ocular involvement in Myasthenia Gravis?
Ptosis (drooping eyelids) and diplopia (double vision) due to extraocular muscle weakness.
How does Tetraodontidae poisoning (pufferfish poisoning) affect the neuromuscular system?
Tetrodotoxin from Tetraodontidae blocks sodium channels, preventing action potential generation, leading to paralysis.
What is the main neurotoxin involved in Tetraodontidae poisoning?
Tetrodotoxin
What is the consequence of sodium channel blockage in Tetraodontidae poisoning?
It causes paralysis by inhibiting action potentials in neurons.
