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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Restrictions On Exercise

Exercise is an incredibly important aspect for everyone, even those with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, but for individuals afflicted with the disorder, exercise can be a more dangerous activity. Exercise raises blood pressure, which can cause vessels to develop problems such as aneurysms. Exercise can also cause the muscles or bones to move away from where they are supposed to be because of the weakened connective tissues. For this reason, restrictions on exercise are often necessary. A person with Loeys-Dietz syndrome should work on an exercise plan with a primary care physician or with a physical therapist. A plan like this will come up with a proper amount of time for the individuals to exercise with. This kind of plan will also allow the patient to know what exercises and what types of exercise are going to be the least risky while still allowing a proper work-out to take place.

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Consultation With An Allergist

In some cases, allergies are not very severe, but for some Loeys-Dietz syndrome patients, allergies can become an extreme and life-threatening complication to their health. Working with just a primary care provider is enough, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, a consultation with an allergist is necessary for more specialized treatment. The allergist will be able to help identify exactly what thing or things are causing the allergy. The allergist will also help prevent the patient's exposure to these allergens. Additionally, an allergist will likely have insight as to what treatments are the best and how to prevent other allergies from becoming apparent.

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Vascular Surgery

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is known to cause malformations of the blood vessels. Occasionally, this can be controlled by medications, exercise regulation, diet, and similar practices. There are times, however, where the damage is incredibly severe, and surgical intervention is a necessity. In these cases, vascular surgery will be performed by a cardiovascular surgeon. The goal of the procedure can change from patient to patient. For some, it may be to strengthen the vessels, and or others, it may be to remove an aneurysm before it bursts. Of course, other things may need to be mended, and there may even be a combination of these different procedures. In any case, the point of such a surgery is to reduce the overall risk of death and injury.