The Clear SMA Types And Treatments

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a huge, huge condition. It isn't great for strength or the ability to move. Why? This disease targets the motor cells in the spine! Men, this one affects 1 in 11,000 people. What's more? 1 in 50 people in the States is a genetic carrier! Sad. Patients might get an average life expectancy. But men, it's not going to be easy! This condition makes it hard to walk without help. The same goes for breathing, speaking, and eating!

There are many, many SMA treatments out there. Hold your horses though, there's no permanent cure for spinal muscular atrophy. You'll want to get gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy if you can. Medication can help too! A doc's diagnosis on the type of SMA is vital for treatment.

Type 1

You're going to see SMA type 1 the most, men. It's the most common form! You'll also hear about it by the name Werdnig-Hoffman disease. The symptoms of it can start at birth, but definitely get going by the time infants reach 6 months old. What will you see? Infants will have trouble moving! They've got weak muscle tone with SMA type 1. They're not going to be able to sit without support. They'll need help raising their head too. Men, SMA type 1 means trouble swallowing, eating, and breathing too. It's not a fun condition!

The good news? This type's got no effect on an infant's cognitive abilities. They'll be so alert and responsive! Yes, so alert and responsive! The most alert you're ever seen! But hold your horse, they're still going to need a team of doctors to treat all their needs.

Type 2

As you were expecting, men, there's also SMA type 2! This one gets infants as well. The difference between it and type 1? Well, symptoms in this type don't appear until after infants are 6 months old! They'll set in before an infant reaches their first birthday. Yes, babies with this one need help sitting. They'll need that help with standing and walking too! Without support, they can't do any of these things. Yes, men, it's because they've got weak leg muscles. They'll have more symptoms as they get older. Issues breathing and eating are common. Men, most kids with SMA type 1 can't do more than sit up on their own. And in their adolescence? They lose this ability! Men, expect to see scoliosis and finger tremors with this type of SMA. Hip dysplasia too!

Type 3

Good news! SMA type 3 is the mild one. But hold your horses, men, it still has huge, huge effects. They're severe and permanent too! It's also rarer than the others. So what's the deal? Symptoms pop up after kids have learned how to walk! But they've got to start between childhood and adolescence. Men, you have to know there are 2 subtypes of SMA type 3. One is when kids get their symptoms between 1 and 3 years old! The other? When their symptoms appear after they turn 3, of course! Kids are going to struggle with stairs. It's going to be hard to run, even walk! Men, it's clear. The weakness starts in the hips and legs, that's why walking is a problem! But of course, it obviously progresses. Where? To the arms and shoulders!

Type 4

Men, this is the one that gets adults! SMA type 4 starts in someone's late teens, but before they reach 20. The catch? Men, you're not always going to notice them until later in your 20s and 30s. Diagnosis for many, many men happens between age 35 and 40. Men, you don't get symptoms as a kid because of your genes! Anyone with this type has 4 or 6 copies of the SMN2 gene. This will make up for the mutations that happen with other types of SMA! So symptoms are delayed. They're milder too! Obviously, it means weakness in the legs, hips, arms, and shoulders. Just like the others! Men, some of you will be able to walk for short distances with a walking stick or other aid! Others? A wheelchair is going to be needed.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy to the rescue! No need to hold your horses on this one, men. It's approved for those under 2 years old right now. But if it's an option? Take it! Gene therapy means replacing the missing SMN1 gene or the one that's not working right. It'll give the patient a working copy afterward! This will give them back some motor function. Amazing! The spine benefits so much from this treatment. So, so much! Men, gene therapy also means a much better survival rate. Much better! There's going to be fewer permanent complications too. Wonderful. Don't let this slip through your fingers if you can. It's the savior you need!