1 – 2,000 people have Mitochondrial Disease.
Mitochondrial Disease also known as “Mito” is an inherited chronic illness that can be present at birth or develop later in life. Mito causes debilitating physical developmental, and mental disabilities with symptoms including poor growth; loss of muscle coordination; muscle weakness and pain, seizures; vision and/or hearing loss; gastrointestinal issues; learning disabilities; and organ failure. This disease is very progressive and currently has no cure. But like with any disease needing to be fixed, it all begins with awareness and educating as many people as possible on the subject.
This brings United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation’s Awareness Week “Building a Path to a Cure”. Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week is globally celebrated to educate and increase awareness about mitochondrial disease. This public educational week takes place every year during the third week of September. This year it will be from September 14th to the 20th. For more information please visit the UMDF website.
If you were unaware, Genesis BCS is an avid supporter of UMDF and has been behind the move in finding the cure. So we thought we would do our part this week and help with providing awareness.
What are Mitochondria?
Mitochondria are tiny organelles found in almost every cell in the body. They create more than 90% of cellular energy and are necessary in the body to sustain life and support growth.
Now what is Mitochondrial Disease?
Mito is when the Mitochondria of the cell fails to produce enough energy for cell and organ function. Once they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. This is followed by cell injury and even cell death. If this process continues throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail and the life of the person is severely compromised.
Mito Symptoms:
- Loss of motor control.
- Muscle weakness and pain.
- Gastro-intestinal disorders.
- Poor growth.
- Cardiac and liver disease.
- Seizures.
- Diabetes.
- Respiratory complications.
- Visual/Hearing problems.
What is the cause of Mitochondrial Disease?
Mitochondrial Disease is an inherited condition that is genetically passed down. There is also a small portion of people that obtain the disease from mitochondrial toxins. The types of Mitochondrial Disease inheritance includes DNA inheritance, MtDNA inheritance and a combination of mtDNA and nDNA defects.
How is it treated?
Currently the treatment for Mito consists of vitamin therapy and conserving energy. The goal is to improve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Mitochondria is the “powerhouse” of our cells which makes the disease so detrimental to the person affected, and like we said has no present cure. But just because there is not one now doesn’t mean we can’t find one. The first part to any solution is understanding the problem. The more we are able to build awareness and bring attention to Mito, the closer we will get to the cure.