Metabolic Disorders
Your metabolism uses chemicals to break down food you eat into sugars and acids. These sugars and acids can provide you with immediate energy, or this energy can be stored in your tissues.
Metabolic disorders damage your body by hurting your ability to get energy from food. Your metabolism is also involved in eliminating waste from your body, circulating blood and controlling body temperature.
Metabolic disorders are caused by defective genes, often inherited, that disrupt metabolism. Early diagnosis is helpful in most effectively treating a metabolic disorder.
There have been advances in the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic disorders. There are thousands of metabolic disorders with a wide array of symptoms and treatments. See your doctor with any questions about metabolic disorders.
Recently Answered
- Q Are inherited metabolic disorders serious?
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There are thousands of different metabolic disorders, and the severity of the disorders ranges a great deal. When caught early enough, many metabolic disorders can be managed with various treatment options, including special diets, vitamins, bone marrow... Full Answer
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- Q What causes inherited metabolic disorders?
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As the name suggests, inherited metabolic disorders are genetic. In order for the body to break down compounds in food like carbohydrates, proteins, or fats, it needs certain chemical substances called enzymes. However, in some cases, a genetic... Full Answer
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- Q What are inherited metabolic disorders?
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Inherited metabolic disorders disrupt the body's ability to make or break down food compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These compounds are essential to the body, supplying it with energy and enabling it to grow and repair. When the... Full Answer
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- Q How are mucolipidoses (MLs) diagnosed?
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Doctors can use genetic tests to diagnose mucolipidoses. These tests look for specific genes that cause the different mucolipidoses diseases. Some mucolipidoses diseases can be diagnosed from stomach acid samples. Doctors may also take a medical history... Full Answer
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- Q What are the signs and symptoms of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS)?
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The subtypes of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) share many clinical features, but have varying degrees of severity. These features may not be apparent at birth, but progress as storage of glycosaminoglycans affects bone, skeletal structure, connective... Full Answer
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- Q What is the prognosis for Farber's disease?
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Most children with the classic form of Farber's disease die by age two, usually from lung disease. Those with a milder form of the disease may live into their teenage years. This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of... Full Answer
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- Q What is the treatment for Farber's disease?
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Currently, there is no specific treatment for Farber's disease. Corticosteroids can help relieve pain. In certain instances, the nodes can be treated with bone marrow transplants, or may be surgically reduced or removed. This answer is based on source... Full Answer
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- Q How do metabolic disorders affect the body?
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Metabolic disorders are caused by genetic problems that affect the function and production of enzymes, which are chemicals that break down food. Food has important substances like fat, proteins, and carbohydrates that are normally broken down to give the... Full Answer
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- Q Can metabolic disorders be prevented?
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Metabolic disorders are usually genetic, which makes prevention difficult. Although the disorders themselves can't be prevented, it may be possible to prevent symptoms. One effective way to prevent symptoms is by following a strict diet. Often, this... Full Answer
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- Q How do I care for someone with an inherited metabolic disorder?
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Families of patients with inherited metabolic disorders should work with doctors to determine the best line of treatment for their loved one. While medications and other treatment options may be available, clinical trials or other alternative therapies... Full Answer
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