Marfan Syndrome Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Marfan Syndrome ?

It is the inherited disorder which damages the connective tissue. Basically, connective tissue is the fibers responsible for anchoring and supporting the body organs, plus, other body structures. Usually, the condition affects the skeleton, blood vessels, eyes and heart. Individuals suffering from it tend to have tall height and thin physique with excessively long toes, fingers, legs and arms.

In addition to this, Marfan syndrome can cause minor to severe damage. In case the blood vessels or heart is affected, then Marfan syndrome can cause serious complications. More often, the treatment includes drugs that help in stooping the blood pressure to minimize the strain on your blood vessels. Besides, depending upon the intensity of signs, plus the body part that has been affected, the doctor can suggest the option of surgery.

What Are The Symptoms Of Marfan Syndrome ?

Symptoms of the condition greatly vary, where few individuals develop minor symptoms, whereas others experience serious complications.  Mostly, Marfan syndrome worsens as the patient ages. Some common symptoms are:

• Flat feet.
• Curved spine.
• Nearsightedness.
• Heart murmurs.
• Crowded teeth.
• Arched, high palate.
• Slender build.
• Breastbone which dips inward or protrudes outward.
• Unusually tall height.
• Excessively long toes, fingers, legs and arms.

What Causes Marfan Syndrome ?

The condition is sourced by the defect in the specific gene responsible for facilitating the body to make a protein which helps in giving our connective tissue its strength and elasticity. Majority patients inherit the defected gene from an affected parent. All children tend to have a fifty percent risk of inheriting the abnormal gene from their parent with Marfan syndrome.
Besides, not all patients inherit the abnormal gene, few develop mutation spontaneously.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Marfan Syndrome ?

Both males and females can be affected by the condition. Though, having a parent with Marfan syndrome increases your risks of contracting the condition for fifty percent.

What Are The Complications Of Marfan Syndrome ?

Since, the condition can affect nearly any part of the body; this can root a number of serious complications, for example:

• Cardiovascular complications: valve malformation, aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm.
• Eye complications: lens dislocation, retinal problems and cataracts.

Besides, Marfan syndrome can also cause skeletal complications and complications with pregnancy.

How Is Marfan Syndrome Diagnosis ?

Diagnosing Marfan syndrome is a difficult task, as its symptoms may vary and mimic the ones of other connective tissue disorders. The doctor will need the family history and combination of signs to confirm its diagnosis. Besides, following tests may also help:

• Heart test: echocardiogram, CT scans and MRI.
• Eye tests: slit-lamp exam and eye pressure test.
• Genetic testing.

How Is Marfan Syndrome Treatment ?

Unfortunately, Marfan syndrome is incurable. Though, thanks to the advance treatment options and regular monitoring, patients tend to have a normal time span as compared to the one in the old times. Besides, its treatment aims to avert the possible complications that can by leaded by Marfan syndrome. Treatment options include medications, therapy and surgical procedures.

By : Natural Health News