What Happens When You Have Spinal Muscular Atrophy?
When these motor neurons weaken or atrophy, the muscles receive fewer signals from the brain and spinal cord, which can cause progressive muscle weakness and muscle wasting. SMA can affect the arms, legs, chest, throat, face, and tongue, meaning everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting the arms, speaking, swallowing, coughing, and breathing may become more difficult. SMA damages motor neurons and that worsening muscle weakness can eventually affect speaking, walking, swallowing, and breathing.
What happens after someone develops Spinal Muscular Atrophy can vary greatly depending on the SMA type, age of onset, SMN2 copy number, treatment history, respiratory health, and individual level of support. Muscle weakness often affects the muscles closest to the center of the body more severely, including the shoulders, hips, thighs, back, and trunk. Some individuals may experience difficulty with head control, sitting, standing, or walking, while others may deal more with fatigue, scoliosis, respiratory infections, weak coughing, swallowing concerns, or declining strength over time. Sensation is generally preserved, meaning people with SMA can typically feel touch and other sensations normally even though their muscles may be physically weak.
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