Is Shy-Drager syndrome hereditary?
Though MSA has not traditionally been considered a genetic disease, new evidence is emerging supporting some genetic predisposition in many patients.
Is Shy-Drager syndrome fatal?
Later symptoms can include impaired speech, difficulties with breathing and swallowing, and inability to sweat (anhidrosis). Shy-Drager syndrome usually ends in death within 7 to 10 years of the diagnosis.
What is the life expectancy of a person with MSA?
People typically live about seven to 10 years after multiple system atrophy symptoms first appear. However, the survival rate with MSA varies widely. Occasionally, people can live for 15 years or longer with the disease. Death is often due to respiratory problems.
Can MSA be inherited?
Most cases of multiple system atrophy are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. Rarely, the condition has been reported to run in families; however, it usually does not have a clear pattern of inheritance.
What is the cause of Shy Drager Syndrome?
Today, Shy-Drager Syndrome (now known as called Multiple System Atrophy) is a neurological disease resulting from degeneration of certain nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Body functions controlled by these areas of the brain and spinal cord function abnormally in patients with this disease.
What’s Shy-Drager Syndrome?
Shy-Drager syndrome is a multiple-system atrophy (MSA) characterized by parkinsonism (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability) and central autonomic failure that manifests primarily as orthostatic hypotension.
What is the cause of Shy-Drager Syndrome?
Is there a cure for Shy Drager Syndrome?
While some of the symptoms of MSA can be treated with medications, currently there are no drugs that are able to slow disease progression and there is no cure. MSA includes disorders that historically had been referred to as Shy-Drager syndrome, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, and striatonigral degeneration.
What causes death in MSA patients?
In summary, all patients with MSA died from disease‐related events, with sudden death and infections being the most common. We propose that careful screening for laryngeal stridor, neurogenic bladder dysfunction and dysphagia with aggressive treatment may increase total survival time in patients with MSA.
How is Shy Drager Syndrome treated?
The general treatment course is aimed at controlling symptoms. Sleeping in a head-up position at night may reduce headaches and morning dizziness. An artificial feeding tube or breathing tube may be surgically inserted for management of swallowing and breathing difficulties.