Musculoskeletal Diseases : Definition, Causes, and Treatment
The musculoskeletal system is a system consisting of bones, joints, muscles, nerves and connective tissue. This system allows the body to move and carry out activities, such as walking, running, picking up objects, and so on. If the musculoskeletal system is disturbed, the body will have difficulty carrying out daily activities.
Apart from supporting body movement, another function of the musculoskeletal system is to form body posture and protect important organs in the body, such as the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
The musculoskeletal system can experience dysfunction :
1. Myositis
Myositis is a term that refers to any condition that causes inflammation or swelling of the muscles. The various symptoms of this condition are swelling, pain and weakness. There are many things that can cause myositis, namely infection, injury, autoimmune disease, electrolyte imbalance, and many more. This disease can be difficult to diagnose and the cause is sometimes unknown.
Causes
There are many different opinions about the causes of this disease. This condition is known as an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack the muscles. However, in most cases, the cause is unknown. So, here are some possible causes of this condition:
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Viruses such as colds, flu, and HIV.
- Drug poisoning.
There are also several things that can be risk factors for this condition, including:
- Injury.
- Rhabdomyolysis.
Treatment
Treatment for myositis usually uses anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and immunosuppressants in the form of corticosteroids. Additionally, the use of immunoglobulin may also be considered.
Then, for conditions caused by viral infections generally no special treatment is needed. This condition is also rarely caused by a bacterial infection and requires antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.
If myositis is caused by taking medication, you should stop treatment. One drug that can be the cause is statin drugs. Inflammation in the body can subside after stopping taking the drug for several weeks
2. Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a disease that causes muscles to become weak, and lose density and function quickly. Muscular dystrophy can affect all age groups, but in most cases, this disease attacks children, especially boys.
Muscular dystrophy is a rare disease that is generally caused by genetics. Symptoms of the disease may be mild, but will get worse over time. In severe cases, people with muscular dystrophy can lose the ability to walk, talk, or care for themselves.
Causes
The cause of muscular dystrophy is a genetic abnormality or mutation (change) in the genes responsible for regulating the function and formation of muscle structure. This gene mutation causes disruption in the production of protein that the body needs to build muscle and maintain proper muscle function.
Muscular dystrophy is more common in children, especially boys. This disease is common due to family genetics that have a similar disease. However, muscular dystrophy can also occur randomly and suddenly even though there is no history of the disease or hereditary genes in the family.
Treatment
Muscular dystrophy is a condition that cannot be cured. Existing treatments are limited to relieving symptoms, maximizing muscle function, and preventing worse conditions from occurring.
There are several treatment methods for muscular dystrophy:
a. Drugs
Some medicines prescribed by doctors to treat muscular dystrophy are:
- Corticosteroids
- Anticonvulsants, such as barbiturates
- Immunosuppressants
b. Therapy
Several types of therapy that can be done to relieve symptoms or disorders caused by muscular dystrophy are :
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- speech therapy
- respiratory therapy.
c. Surgery
Surgery for muscular dystrophy to repair joint and spinal disorders that make it difficult for the patient to breathe. Surgery can also relieve complications of muscular dystrophy, such as heart problems and difficulty swallowing.
3. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons which are the connecting tissue between muscles and joints. Generally, tendinitis attacks the tendons in the shoulder, elbow, heel or ankle. However, it can also occur in other parts of the body.
The main symptom of tendinitis is pain in the tendon when the muscle is moved. This can last a short time (acute) or a long time (chronic).
Causes
The cause of tendonitis is generally caused by heavy physical activity which is carried out repeatedly which can cause the tendons to receive too much load which can cause stress and injury.
Heavy physical activity or movements done in the wrong position can also trigger tendinitis. Inflammation of this tendon can also be caused by injury from lifting heavy objects.
Treatment
Tendinitis treatment to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. Some tendinitis treatment options are as follows:
- consuming anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections.
- physiotherapy to strengthen inflamed tendons and help restore movement function affected by tendinitis.
4. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition when bone density is low so that bones become porous and break easily. Osteoporosis rarely causes symptoms and is usually only discovered when the sufferer experiences an injury that causes bone fractures.
Osteoporosis can be experienced by anyone, including children and adults. However, osteoporosis is more common in women who have entered menopause. This condition is caused by reduced levels of the hormone estrogen which plays an important role in maintaining bone density.
Causes
Osteoporosis is caused by a decrease in the body's ability to regenerate bones, resulting in reduced bone density. This decline in regeneration ability usually begins when a person reaches the age of 35 years.
Apart from age, there are several other factors that can increase the risk of osteoporosis, such as vitamin D deficiency, hypocalcemia, hormonal disorders, lack of exercise, consumption of certain drugs, and smoking habits.
Treatment
Osteoporosis treatment to prevent fractures or cracked bones. If osteoporosis sufferers are at high risk of experiencing bone fractures, doctors can prescribe medication to increase bone density, such as:
a. Bisphosphonates
b. Monoclonal antibodies
c. Hormone therapy
If necessary, sufferers can be given drugs to increase bone formation, such as teriparatide and abaloparatide. Patients will be advised to reduce activities that could cause falls or injury.
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