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Conditions
Spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy

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SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) is a condition in which a person has degeneration of some of the nerves in his spinal cord, resulting in weakness and wasting (atrophy) of the muscles that the damaged nerves connect to. Different types of SMA affect different age groups, from newborns to adults.

Dr. Keegan Duchicela reviewed this

16 year experience in family medicine

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common it is:

Rare

Symptoms

Fasciculation
Reduced reflexes
Frequent respiratory infections
Low muscle tone
Breathing difficulty
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Other treatments

Supportive care
Physical therapy

Tests

Thyroid stimulating hormone
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Creatine kinase

Related questions

A 21-year old asked:

What is spinal muscular atrophy?

3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 50-year old asked:

What is spinal muscular atrophy type 1?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

Can you tell me the basics about spinal muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 37-year old asked:

Can someone tell me if spinal muscular atrophy is hereditary?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

Please tell me what are the usual symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

How can you prevent spinal muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 29-year old asked:

Differentiate between duchenne and spinal muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

How long can someone live with type 1 SMA (spinal muscular atrophy)?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

What is the life expectancy for people who have spinal muscular atrophy?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

How much time can a child live with type one SMA (spinal muscular atrophy)?

1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

How long can a child live successfully with type one SMA (spinal muscular atrophy)?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 30-year old male asked:

Is Emg/ncs sufficient to diagnose spinal Muscular atrophy ?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

Is it possible for a newborn baby to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

Does spinal muscular atrophy (sma) prevent children from speaking?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Where can I find information on carrier screening for spinal muscular atrophy?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 22-year old female asked:

I have spinal muscular atrophy 3, is there anything that causes sxs to progress after long periods of being stable and do all 3s loose ability to wal?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 29-year old asked:

What are alternative treatment methods for spinal muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

A neighbor child has SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). Is this a genetic disease?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

Could use your help docs! my brother is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy stage 2. Is there any treatment?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

What is spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

Vitamin b allergy, can't stand or walk unassisted. Is this spinal muscular atrophy, what is it?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A female asked:

My child has spinal muscular atrophy, recently her hands, feet and backside have been very sweaty recently with cynosis around lips, what could cause?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

What is spinal bulbar muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

What is the difference between spinal & progressive muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

Please explain why is spinal bulbar muscular atrophy nicknamed kennedy's disease?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A member asked:

Is it true muscular atrophy causes pain and stiffness?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

What are the tests for peroneal muscular atrophy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 24-year old asked:

Is there a gentle way to treat peroneal muscular atrophy?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

What symptoms of peroneal muscular atrophy are the most important?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

Do people who suffer from muscular atrophy tend to get depression?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

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