Can an adult get mitochondrial disease?

Can an adult get mitochondrial disease?

Adult-onset mitochondrial disease often presents in more subtle ways. The disease may manifest for the first time in adulthood or may be first recognized in adulthood after a history of symptoms dating back to childhood. Adult-onset mitochondrial disease is typically a progressive multisystem disorder.

Can a person get mitochondrial disease at a young age?

However, some people develop mitochondrial disease at a young age that causes disabilities that last their whole lifetimes. Older people can develop diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. ( 8) Mitochondrial disease runs in families to some extent, but it’s also caused by other factors.

What are some of the symptoms of mitochondrial disease?

Some people experience debilitating symptoms from mitochondrial disease, like not being able to talk or walk normally, but others live a mostly normal life as long as they take care of themselves carefully. Most patients’ symptoms fluctuate over the course of their disease, from severe to being barely noticeable.

How many people in the world have mitochondrial disease?

Mitochondria disease is actually a term used to group together hundreds of different disorders that all stem from dysfunctions of mitochondria, each one with its own exact cause and symptoms. It’s estimated that about one in 4,000 people has a type of mitochondrial disease, which is considered progressive in nature and currently without a cure.

How does early treatment of mitochondrial disease help?

Early diagnoses and treatment of mitochondrial disease might be able to help stop cellular damage from worsening and causing permanent disabilities. Early interventions for young children can also help improve functions like talking, walking, eating and socializing.

What are the different types of mitochondrial diseases?

The list of types of Mitochondrial diseases mentioned in various sources includes: Leber’s hereditary optic atrophy. Kearns-Sayre Syndrome. Progressive external ophthalmoplegia. Myoclonus epilepsy.

What are diseases caused by mitochondria?

Defects in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes are associated with hundreds of clinical disease phenotypes including anemia, dementia, hypertension, lymphoma, retinopathy, seizures, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

What are some examples of mitochondrial disorders?

Examples of mitochondrial diseases include: Mitochondrial myopathy. Diabetes mellitus and deafness (DAD) this combination at an early age can be due to mitochondrial disease. Diabetes mellitus and deafness can be found together for other reasons.

What happens when mitochondria malfunctions?

Mitochondria produce the energy our cells need to grow and function. If the mitochondria are damaged or malfunctioning, the cells cannot carry out their functions and can become injured or die. These injured or underperforming cells ultimately cause mitochondrial disease.