Myotonia dystrophic

Myotonia dystrophic is a hereditary disease characterized by a combination of myopathy and myotonia.

Etiology, pathogenesis. A systemic anomaly of lipid membrane elements is assumed.

Symptoms, course. The first manifestation of the disease is myotonia, which occurs between 15 and 40 years. Then, atrophy of the muscles of the face, neck and distal parts of the extremities is added. Muscular defects are usually accompanied by heart damage, cataracts, hypogonadism, frontal baldness, respiratory insufficiency. The disease lasts for years, slowly disabling patients. The cause of death is heart attack or pneumonia.

Treatment. Means that mitigate myotonia, and symptomatic measures.