Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth terminal?
CMT is not a fatal disease. Most people with it live to a normal age and remain active. In rare cases, it may affect the muscles you need to breathe. Because this can be especially dangerous at night, you may need a nighttime breathing assistive device.
What is the life expectancy of someone with CMT?
Life expectancy is normal in most patients with CMT. The degree of disability varies according to the CMT subtype, and it is unpredictable between and within families; even identical twins may be differently affected. Typically, HNPP patients have a good quality of life between episodes of nerve damage.
Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease life threatening?
CMT is not life threatening and most people with the condition have the same life expectancy as a person without the condition. But it can make everyday activities very difficult. Living with a long-term progressive condition can also have a significant emotional impact.
Does CMT make you tired?
Fatigue is a common symptom in CMT. A study, published in the Journal of Neurology in 2010 and based on questionnaire given patients and an age- and sex-matched control group, reported that fatigue levels were significantly higher in people with CMT.
How do you get Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited, genetic condition. It occurs when there are mutations in the genes that affect the nerves in your feet, legs, hands and arms. Sometimes, these mutations damage the nerves. Other mutations damage the protective coating that surrounds the nerve (myelin sheath).
Can CMT cause bladder problems?
Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), and other forms of muscular dystrophy also can affect the bladder. These conditions can affect the peripheral nerves, including those responsible for breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and bladder control.
Does alcohol affect Charcot-Marie-Tooth?
While people with CMT generally suffer no ill effects from the moderate consumption of alcohol, they should be particularly mindful of the fact that alcohol affects balance and coordination, and that overconsumption of alcohol is generally not recommend under any circumstances.
