Mitochondria are small organs which contain enzymes and they are responsible for generating energy. The presence of Mitochondria is all pervading. As mitochondrion acts as a power house of a cell, it plays an important role in cell metabolism.

If in case, mitochondrial can’t produce sufficient amount of energy in cells, it can lead to a disease which is known as Mitochondrial Cytopathy. In this disease, generally brain, heart and muscles are affected because these parts of a body consumes maximum amount of energy that is generated by mitochondrial.

Causes of Mitochondrial Cytopathy

The cause of this disease is not pinpointed but some practitioners believe that Mitochondrial Cytopathy is the direct result of genetic abnormality. A child can acquire this rare disease from his/her parents. When an embryo develops in the womb, a spontaneous mutation can cause this disease.

Symptoms of Mitochondrial Cytopathy

Sometimes a person, who is suffering from Mitochondrial Cytopathy, can experience mild symptoms but sometimes the symptoms may become severe and in that situation, it should be brought under medical attention.

As heart is affected by this disease, a patient may face some difficulties while breathing. One can experience dizziness or numbness because of the lack of energy production by mitochondria. Seizures, hearing loss and headache are some of the common symptoms of this disease. A patient may have a physical stature and he can be susceptible to diabetes.

Mental abnormality and an irregular eye movement are some of the important signs of Mitochondrial Cytopathy. This disease is sometimes associated with some problems of liver and gastrointestinal disorders. The symptoms of this disease can emerge in any stage of a person’s life.

Sometimes one can experience sporadic movements in muscles and one may have to face some difficulties while swallowing food. Fatigue and the increasing level of cerebrospinal protein are some of the important signs of this disease. Nausea and muscle cramps are also some of the conspicuous symptoms of this disease.

Types of Mitochondrial Cytopathy

Maternal and Mendelian are the two most common types of Mitochondrial Cytopathy. These two are different from each other depending on their inheritance patterns. In Maternal inheritance, a child is affected by a genetic disorder through his mother. But the symptoms can vary even within a single family.

Chromosomal defect is the main cause of the second type of Mitochondrial Cytopathy. Kearns-Sayre syndrome and Leigh’s Syndrome are also some of the common types of Mitochondrial Cytopathy.

Treatment of Mitochondrial Cytopathy

It is a patent fact that Mitochondrial Cytopathy is incurable. But treatments and therapies have been developed to reduce the severity of the symptoms of this disease. It has been noticed that two Mitochondrial Cytopathy affected patients may not response similarly to a single treatment.

This is the reason why in some cases, practitioners have to prepare custom-made treatment for treating a particular patient. Occupational therapy and psychological therapy can be applied to reduce the acuteness of the symptoms of Mitochondrial Cytopathy. If a patient is impaired mentally and physically due to this disease, Occupational therapy can do a good job by encouraging in every possible way.

Sometimes medications or a combination of medications can reduce the signs of this disease remarkably. Vitamin E and Selenium are two most popular antioxidants that are usually applied while treating a disease. Vitamins B and Q10 are co-enzymes that are also used to treat a patient by slashing down the severity of this disease.

Neurological examination and physical examination have to be executed in advance to assess the present condition of this disease. If a patient is facing any kind of heart related problems, echocardiogram or Electrocardiogram (EKG) has to be performed.

Retinal exam can be executed to ensure the fact that the eyes of a person must not be affected. When a patient is facing some difficulties to hear something, Audiogram test can be conducted. If thyroid problem persists, blood test can be conducted to rectify thyroid dysfunction.

Advice:

If a person is facing any symptoms of Mitochondrial Cytopathy that is aforementioned above, he must consult with a practitioner so that the symptoms of this disease can be prevented from getting aggravated.