Analysis of Mitochondrial Disease Life Expectancy and Symptoms

Learn about Mitochondrial Disease

This is a dreadful disease with no known cure until now. The energy cells of the body one by one stop doing their duty until the person dies. The exact time for the onset of this disease has not been established. However, the life function – producing energy from food and oxygen dies out. Mostly, children affected by the mitochondrial disease cannot expect to survive beyond the teenage years. The chances that adults develop this disease are pretty high. The first signs of the onset of disease are when the person becomes intolerant to exercise. 

The Onset of the Disease and Its Types

This ailment affects the innermost cell structure. The unit known as mitochondria produces 87% of all energy produced in the human body. Thus when they fail, you can see a drastic collapse of the person in his bearing.

Symptoms of the Ailment

Many types of mitochondrial ailments are gene-related. The parents pass this ailment on to their children. The circumstantial factors like pollution or having an attack of infection too can play a major role. Collapse takes place beginning from the vital organs – heart, lung, and liver. The signs seen would be as follows:

On the milder side these would be seen:

·         Swallowing difficulty

·         Blindness and deafness

·         Constipation and diarrhea

·         Vomiting

·         Heart and kidney problems

·         Immune system problems

·         Muscle failure

Be Prepared for the Ailment

Take action when you see the early symptoms. When the disease progresses too much, these signs would be seen:

·         Collapse of muscle tone

·         Repeated attacks of infection

·         Violent seizures

·         Fevers

·         Intolerance to temperature changes

·         Feeding problems

When any infection shows atypical signs, it is the first red flag for mito disease. On the other hand, there may be multiple organ failures after a period of illness. Mitochondrial disease life expectancy has never been good, so be prepared for all eventualities. Adults who experience this ailment often live for many years without any trouble, well past all predictions. However, they will face more burdens since this disease will obstruct them from doing normal work. In addition, they need to do regular housework for which their health may not be conducive.

Variations of this disorder

The different varieties of this disorder depend on when and where the infection strikes. Myoclonus epilepsy and KSS are often seen. Signs of ailment would include breathlessness, nausea, and headaches.

1.   KSS: Kearns—Sayre Syndrome will manifest as problems with the eye mainly in the form of drooping eyelids. Infections of the retina that might take place along with high levels of fluid might also be present. In some cases, deafness and dementia could occur.

2.    Leigh’s Disease: When you get an infection during your childhood, there is a chance for Leigh’s disease to occur. Lesions are formed on the brain stem after the disease progresses. Basic functionality like walking and sucking or head control will be lost. The person will become irritable and have incidents of vomiting and seizures.

3.   Carnitine Deficiency: When the consciousness of the person is affected leading to coma the treatment required involves use of L-Carnitine.

Treatment for Disorder

To date, we have nothing that can cure or treat this disorder. However, eating well will keep energy levels up. Plenty of food from morning to bedtime will keep the person going. Include plenty of vitamin-rich food in the diet. Take measures to eliminate pollutants. Avoid smoke-filled areas. Stop alcohol consumption as this is poisonous. Take only those food items that the doctor recommended.

The Prognosis for this Ailment

There is no time limit set for those with this ailment. However, adults have better chances of surviving for more years than children. Research is ongoing in this line to try and find the cure. The environmental conditions will affect the person a lot and so one has to try to keep the living quarters and surrounding clean and healthy.

NOTE: These notes are only to get an idea of the disease. These are not medically perfect and you should consult your own physician before taking any medicine or following any steps outlined here.