Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

How do I know if I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?

What signs or symptoms may make you suspect you may have Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. People who have experience in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease offer advice of what things may make you suspicious and which doctor you should go to to receive treatment

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) is a hereditary neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and sensory loss. It is important to note that I am not a medical professional, but I can provide you with some general information on how to recognize potential signs of CMT. However, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

CMT typically manifests in the first or second decade of life, but symptoms can appear at any age. The most common signs include:

Muscle weakness: CMT primarily affects the muscles in the lower legs, feet, and hands. You may experience difficulty with activities such as walking, running, or gripping objects.

Foot deformities: High arches (pes cavus) and hammertoes are common in individuals with CMT. These structural changes can contribute to balance issues and difficulties with walking.

Sensory loss: CMT can cause a decrease in sensation, particularly in the feet and hands. You may notice numbness, tingling, or a reduced ability to feel temperature or pain.

Muscle atrophy: Over time, the muscles affected by CMT may become smaller and weaker due to the nerve damage.

Balance and coordination problems: CMT can impact your ability to maintain balance and coordination, leading to frequent tripping or falling.

Progressive nature: CMT is a progressive disorder, meaning symptoms tend to worsen over time. However, the rate of progression can vary significantly between individuals.

It is important to remember that these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, so a thorough medical evaluation is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. A healthcare professional, such as a neurologist or geneticist, can conduct a comprehensive examination, review your medical history, and perform additional tests, such as nerve conduction studies or genetic testing, to confirm or rule out CMT.

If you suspect you may have CMT or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is crucial to seek medical advice promptly. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can help optimize your quality of life and potentially slow down the progression of the disease.

by Diseasemaps

You can consult your doctor, and get genetic testing for the gene.

5/21/18 by Joe 4050

A slow walk and you can not do the same things a normal person does.

5/22/18 by Gabriel 1700

Look at family history and symptomology. Then see a neurologist. If you can get genetic testing.

5/22/18 by Dawn 4050

Usually there will be a family history which might lead you to believe you have the condition, Early symptoms are usually clumsiness or difficulty balancing or standing, together with the classic high arches.

5/23/18 by Karencmt 2620

You might know of someone else in your family has it and you might see some symptoms that they also had. If you have trouble walking and standing for a long period of time, have muscle and nerve pain, have a hard time opening things and buttoning things, trimmers in your hands, for deformity, claw hands and toes, and tingles and numbness in fingers and hands are very known symptoms of CMT. Do you know for sure you have to go to a doctor and have genetic testing done along with a few other tests

5/23/18 by SavShelton 2550

Your balance is bad, you trip/fall a lot, your stappage gait is high, your walking is awkward etc.

5/29/18 by Daniel 4200

I was turning my ankles frequently. Then got tested

12/8/19 by Bob 1400

It usually requires a trip to see a Neurologist for diagnosis.

2/7/20 by Roberta 1900

MOST PEOPLE BEGIN WITH CLUMSINESS, DECREASED ABILITY TO DO THINGS LIKE WALK A NORMAL DISTANCE, STAND STILL IN ONE PLACE, SOME HAVE SEVERE HIGH ARCHES, FATIGUE, FALLING AND TRIPPING OVER NOTHING. THIS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY THE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN WHO SHOULD THEN REFER TO A NEUROLOGIST WITH SPECIALTY TRAINING IN CMT. THERE ARE SEVERAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE THAT EMPLOY STAFF SPECIALIZING IN CMT. CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS OFTEN HAVE CMT SPECIALISTS ON STAFF.

2/9/20 by Jim 3000

Feet that are becoming deformed. Usually high arches and hammer toes. Decreased reflexes or absent. Numbness of feet and hands. Weakness of legs and hands. You should seek a neurologist familiar with CMT.

2/13/20 by Linda 1550

Translated from spanish Improve translation

By performing a genetic study

9/4/17 by Lorena. Translated

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