Neuromuscular disorders cause the area of the brain that controls muscles to fail, making it unable to send messages to and from the rest of the body. Every patient has a different combination of symptoms; that is why the specialists at Tower Health develop a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms. Common symptoms include:

  • Balance problems
  • Difficulty swallowing and breathing
  • Double vision
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Movement problems
  • Muscle twitching, cramps, and pain
  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Unexplained loss of muscle tone

Common Neuromuscular Conditions

The neuromuscular specialists at Tower Health diagnose and treat a wide variety of neuromuscular disorders, including:

  • Neuropathy. Nerve damage that causes numbness, pain, and weakness. Possible causes of neuropathy include infections, injuries, genetics, diabetes, or even exposure to toxins.
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). A life-threatening motor neuron disorder causes progressive muscle weakness as nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain degenerate. Often called Lou Gehrig’s disease.
  • Muscular Dystrophy. A group of genetic diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. Abnormal genes interfere with the body’s ability to produce the proteins needed to form healthy muscle.
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). An autoimmune disorder attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing tingling and weakness that often starts in the feet and legs and spreads to the upper body.

Diagnosing Neuromuscular Disorders

Knowing as much as possible about your neuromuscular disorder will help us determine the best treatment plan and determine if it is hereditary. Our diagnostic tests include:

  • Neuro-conductive velocity testing (NCV). A test to measure the speed of electrical impulses in the nerves.
  • Electromyography (EMG). A test to record the electrical activity of muscle tissue.
  • Genetic testing. Blood tests to determine if your DNA carries genetic markers for the disease.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging to detect irregularities. Imaging studies may include CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, PET scan, or a SPECT scan.

Treatment Options for Neuromuscular Disease

If you live with a neuromuscular disease, your treatment options will depend on the severity of your disease. Depending on the impact the symptoms have on your daily life, your treatment may include:

  • Behavioral pain management
  • Genetic counseling
  • Home health services to manage condition at home
  • Lifestyle changes and support
  • Medication management
  • Neurorehabilitation

If you need infusion therapy for DMT or medications, Tower Health offers outpatient infusion centers in several locations so you can get the treatment you need close to your home.