- Considered an autoimmune disease, myositis is technically an inflammation of the muscles. Myositis consists of the immune system failing to recognize the body's muscles and attacking the muscles as though they were foreign bodies. This results in the muscles losing the ability to contract and they become weak. As the muscles weaken, standing, walking and moving become difficult and painful. Swallowing and breathing may become difficult, and joint pain and fever may be present. The condition may be chronic or short-term.
- Nearly 2 percent of the American population suffers from fibromyalgia, and according to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely to have the disorder than men. The pain is often described as a dull ache that is located on both sides of the body, in the upper and lower torso. Individuals often suffer from fatigue. It is thought that sleep disturbances may contribute to the level of pain experienced as deep restorative sleep may not be obtained which allows muscles to heal.
- According to the Mayo Clinic, most forms of muscular dystrophy (MD) arise from an inherited genetic inability of the body to produce dystrophin, a protein needed by muscles to remain healthy. With muscular dystrophy, voluntary muscles become weaker as time goes by. In some cases of MD, organs and involuntary muscles deteriorate. In all cases, as the disease progresses, muscle is gradually replaced with connective tissues and fat. Symptoms include muscle weakness, lack of mobility and eventual crippling.
- A very rare neurological muscle disorder, Isaac's Syndrome is caused by peripheral nerves that over-fire and activate muscle fibers on a continuous basis. Muscles persistently twitch, cramp and contract. The effects of the peripheral nerves are present even when the individual is put under anesthesia or while asleep. The disorder can be caused by genetics or by an autoimmune response which causes potassium channels to collect antibodies and affect the nerves' abilities to respond correctly. Symptoms include weak muscles, delayed reflexes and pain.
- Considered a spinal muscular atrophy disorder, Kennedy's Disease is an inherited disease that affects only males. It is a recessive gene disease and carried on the X-chromosome. Symptoms include tremors, muscle cramps and muscle weakness. Muscles within the face and neck can be affected, causing dysphagia and dysarthria making swallowing and speaking difficult. Some males may also experience low sperm count, development of breasts and infertility.
