How do you get CMT disease?

What causes CMT? CMT is caused by an inherited fault in one of the many genes responsible for the development of the peripheral nerves. This fault means the nerves become damaged over time. A child with CMT may have inherited the genetic fault responsible for the condition from 1 or both of their parents.

Who is most likely to get Charcot Marie Tooth disease?

Their children have a 25 percent chance of inheriting the disease. Autosomal disorders, both dominant and recessive, affect males and females equally. Other types of CMT are inherited in an X-linked fashion, meaning they are dependent on the chromosomes that determine a person's sex.

Does CMT run in families?

CMT can run in a family, even when there is no obvious family history. In part, this is because CMT can be inherited in three different ways — X-linked, autosomal dominant, and autosomal recessive — that are not always easy to trace through a family tree.

Can anyone get Charcot Marie Tooth disease?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is hereditary, so you're at higher risk of developing the disorder if anyone in your immediate family has the disease. Other causes of neuropathies, such as diabetes, may cause symptoms similar to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Is Charcot Marie Tooth a form of MS?

Introduction. Over the past 20 years, several reports have linked CMT with MS in individual patients. In the case of CMT1A, by far the most common form of CMT, four cases with concomitant MS have been reported. 9–11 There have also been single case reports of MS in other rare forms of CMT.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)

Does CMT get worse as you get older?

CMT is a progressive condition, which means the symptoms gradually get worse over time. This means it may be difficult to spot symptoms in young children who have CMT. Signs that a young child may have CMT include: appearing unusually clumsy and accident-prone for their age.

What does CMT pain feel like?

Because CMT causes damage to sensory nerve fibers (axons), people with CMT can feel tingling and burning sensations in the hands and feet, usually causing only mild discomfort but sometimes causing pain. The sense of touch is diminished, as is the ability to sense changes in temperature.

Can you prevent CMT?

There is no cure for CMT and it can't be prevented. Treatment usually involves a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, moderate exercise, leg braces, and shoe inserts. In some cases, surgery may be performed to correct foot or joint deformities.

Does CMT skip a generation?

CMT does not skip generations genetically. For people with autosomal dominant and X-linked conditions, a person will either have the condition or not. If a parent has CMT that has been genetically confirmed, a child can be tested when that child is at least 18 years of age and with appropriate genetic counseling.

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.

Should people with CMT have children?

Generally speaking, there is no reason why you shouldn't have children of your own. However, there are issues you need to consider. If you or your partner has CMT, you have up to a one in two chance of passing the condition onto your child.

Does caffeine affect CMT?

avoiding caffeine (found in tea, coffee, cola and energy drinks) and nicotine (found in tobacco) if you have tremors (shaking) – they can make this worse. avoid medicines that can cause nerve damage – Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK has a list of medications to avoid or use with caution if you have CMT.

What vitamins are good for CMT?

Vitamin C has been proposed as a treatment for CMT, because vitamin C is necessary for myelination (development of the myelin, or insulation around the nerve fibres) in laboratory cultures of nerve cells and the peripheral nerves of mice.

How fast does CMT progress?

In children with CMT, electrophysiological changes can be detected as early as 2 years of age, with abnormally small CMAPs and progressively worsening NCV until approximately 6 years of age when it stabilizes.

Does CMT cause hair loss?

Other symptoms

People with CMT may experience tingling and burning sensations in their hands and feet, causing discomfort and sometimes pain. Their sense of touch and the ability to sense temperature changes are diminished. Some people with sensory loss have dry skin and hair loss in the affected area.

Is there a blood test for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?

Genetic testing.

These tests, which can detect the most common genetic defects known to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, are done with a blood sample. Genetic testing may give people with the disorder more information for family planning. It can also rule out other neuropathies.

What is it like living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?

Living with CMT can be discouraging, frustrating, and overwhelming, and may lead to sadness, loneliness, anger, and fear. It may also lead to guilt as patients may feel like others are having to work more because they are unable to.

Is CMT an autoimmune disease?

Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth an autoimmune disease? No, CMT is not an autoimmune disease. People with CMT have problem genes (mutations) that cause degeneration of their peripheral nerves.

Is vitamin B12 good for CMT?

The benefit to patients with normal vitamin levels and function has not been established. I am not aware of attempts to treat otherwise normal CMT patients successfully with B12, but it has been tried in diabetic neuropathy without clear benefit in patients with normal vitamin levels.

Does massage help CMT?

Conclusion: Massage therapy may positively affect pain intensity and ROM associated with CMT. Future studies linking massage therapy and CMT are needed.

How can I improve my CMT balance?

Does CMT affect sleep?

Many CMT patients report fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and non-restorative sleep [3, 4]. Sleep disturbances may be associated with paresthesia, muscle cramps, or restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Is walking good for CMT?

Walking poles offer people with CMT not just a way to get and stay fit, but also a training aid for walking and balance. Medical studies on “pole walking” uniformly show better breathing, less stress on joints, and other significant advantages over running, including more calories burned in less time.

Can exercise make CMT worse?

For people with CMT, carrying extra weight can make matters worse because it: makes it more difficult to exercise or stay active. puts more strain on already weakened muscles and joints. increases the chance of back pain.

What exercise can I do with Charcot foot?

Swimming: Swimming takes the pressure off your joints and bones, which can be beneficial for those with Charcot or diabetic neuropathy. This is an excellent way to build endurance while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.