What does mitochondrial disease do to you?
Mitochondrial disease can cause a vast array of health concerns, including fatigue, weakness, metabolic strokes, seizures, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, developmental or cognitive disabilities, diabetes mellitus, impairment of hearing, vision, growth, liver, gastrointestinal, or kidney function, and more.
How do you know if your child has mitochondrial disease?
Genetic testing is the most reliable way to diagnose and categorize a mitochondrial disorder. We may recommend genetic testing for your child (and sometimes for parents too) if any of these symptoms are present: developmental delay with involvement of other organs.
How do you fix mitochondrial dysfunction?
Treatments for mitochondrial disease may include:
- Vitamins and supplements, including Coenzyme Q10; B complex vitamins, especially thiamine (B1) and riboflavin (B2); Alpha lipoic acid; L-carnitine (Carnitor); Creatine; and L-Arginine.
- Exercises, including both endurance exercises and resistance/strength training.
Is mitochondrial disease life threatening?
If a lot of Mitochondria in the body are affected, especially in important body organs, mitochondrial disease can be very serious and often fatal.
Are mitochondrial disorders fatal?
What is an example of a mitochondrial disorder?
Common clinical features of mitochondrial disorders include ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, proximal myopathy and exercise intolerance, cardiomyopathy, sensorineural deafness, optic atrophy, pigmentary retinopathy, and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus and deafness is also a well-recognized clinical phenotype.
How old do people with mitochondrial disease live?
A small study in children with mitochondrial disease examined the patient records of 221 children with mitochondrial disease. Of these, 14% died three to nine years after diagnosis. Five patients lived less than three years, and three patients lived longer than nine years.
Is mitochondrial disease a terminal illness?
Mitochondrial disease (mito) is a debilitating and potentially fatal disease that reduces the ability of the mitochondria to produce this energy. When the mitochondria are not working properly, cells begin to die until eventually whole organ systems fail and the patient’s life itself is compromised.