Care for Neuromuscular Disorders

If you have a problem with the nerves that control your muscles, you have a neuromuscular disorder. There are many different kinds of neuromuscular diseases. Some are primary diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Others are side effects of other diseases, such as diabetic neuropathies. Some are progressive and life-threatening, while others are not as severe.

Treatment

Depending on your diagnosis and the progression of your disease, you may benefit from one or more of these treatments:

• Plasma exchange
• Intravenous immunoglobulin
• Immunosuppression
• Individual pain and symptom management
• Intensive care of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome and myasthenic crisis

If you have a neuromuscular disease you may have special rehabilitation needs, including:

• Strategies to protect and strengthen muscles, joints and nerves
• Pain management
• Balance and gait training
• Protection of respiratory and airway function

All patients hope for new and better ways to treat their illness. Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network participates in national clinical research for treatments for:

• Painful peripheral neuropathies
• ALS
• Myasthenia gravis
• Muscular dystrophies

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