Options For Treating Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder most often caused by a genetic mutation. Although, in some cases, the disorder is inherited from a parent. It has five different types that are diagnosed depending on the cause, varies in severity, and can start in childhood or adulthood. Loeys-Dietz syndrome affects the connective tissues throughout the body, causing them to be much weaker than they should be. This can cause less flexibility and less strength to be present around bones, muscles, blood vessels, and ligaments. An individual with this disorder may have discolored skin, and they are much more susceptible to forming scars and bruising after being injured. Loeys-Dietz syndrome patients are also more likely to develop immune system-related issues. Learn about how this condition is treated now.

Orthotics And Orthopedic Surgery

Because connective tissue is essential to proper bone support, damage to it sometimes needs to be remedied through orthotics and orthopedic surgery. Orthotics are custom devices designed for individuals in need of one, and they help correct irregularities in movement or provide support and protection to the feet and ankles. The device is made by taking a cast of the patient's foot.

Orthopedic surgery can also help fix these problems. The surgeon can manually rearrange the bones so they are correctly aligned. The orthopedic surgeon can also insert different materials that will add additional support to the bones in the area. Of course, surgery is risky in any case, but it can be necessary and extremely beneficial in improving pain or improper alignment.

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Blood Pressure Medication

By weakening the connective tissue, Loeys-Dietz syndrome can make the blood vessels, especially the aorta, stretch more, which causes them to become weak and more susceptible to aneurysm formation. To help prevent this from occurring, a patient with this disorder will likely need to be placed on blood pressure medications to prevent an aneurysm from forming or to prevent one from bursting. These medications can work in many different ways to reduce blood pressure. Some work by directly slowing down the heart, which keeps it from pushing too much blood out too quickly. On the other hand, some blood pressure medications take a more indirect route to reducing blood pressure. For example, some reduce blood pressure by reducing the overall amount of fluid in the body.

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