Charcot-marie-tooth disease
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (pronounced shar-ko-mah-ree-tooth) is a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Etymology
The disease is named after the three doctors who first identified it in 1886 - Jean-Martin Charcot, Pierre Marie, and Howard Henry Tooth.
Definition
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders, affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the United States. The disease is characterized by loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation, predominantly in the feet and legs but also in the hands and arms in the advanced stages of disease.
Symptoms
People with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease typically experience muscle weakness and atrophy, as well as a decrease in sensation in various parts of the body. They may also have difficulty with balance and coordination.
Types
There are several types of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2. These types are distinguished by their signs and symptoms and their genetic cause.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but physical therapy, occupational therapy, and devices such as braces and orthopedic shoes can help to improve movement and maintain independence.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Charcot-marie-tooth disease
- Wikipedia's article - Charcot-marie-tooth disease
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski