What is Mitochondrial Disease?

This week is Mitochondrial Awareness Week! In celebration, here is a short summary of what Mitochondrial Disease is.

Every cell in your body needs energy to function. Every cell (except red blood cells) in your body has little power factories called mitochondria which manufacture energy. Mitochondrial Disease is a condition which affects the tiny power houses inside your cells. When your mitochondria become damaged, your ability to produce energy is affected.

Since all cells in your body need energy, Mitochondrial Disease can affect every part of the body. Some folks have the disease affect their muscles (called Mitochondrial Myopathy). Some folks have their brains affected (called Mitochondrial Encephalopathy). Many people have multiple body systems affected. Some people have every organ in their body affected. The disease varies greatly depending on the number of organ systems involved and the severity of the mitochondrial impairment.

Mitochondrial Disease can manifest at any age. In general, the younger a person develops symptoms of the disease, the shorter one's lifespan. For example, a one year old who shows signs of Mitochondrial Disease often does not live beyond age four. A person who develops the disease in their 40's may live a full life and die from other causes.

There is no cure for Mitochondrial Disease. There are vitamins, minerals and other supplements which can be taken to help alleviate deficiencies caused by the disease. For more information, please visit www.umdf.org