Family physicians raise awareness of mitochondrial diseases

As the first point of contact for care, family physicians play an important role in diagnosing many diseases. One chronic, progressive and debilitating disease will be brought into the public’s eye this week as the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation recognizes National Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week, Sept. 21-27.

Mitochondria are components within cells that produce much of the energy the body needs to function. Disease occurs when they fail, making mitochondrial diseases a complex group of disorders that have a wide range of symptoms, affect any organ or organ system, and can affect all ages from birth to middle age. One warning sign for these diseases is that there are problems with three or more organ systems, according to the state of Texas resolution for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. There is no cure, but treatments are available to slow the diseases’ progress.

For more information on the physician’s role in mitochondrial diseases or National Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week, go to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation’s Web site, www.umdf.org. Here you can find up-to-date scientific data and information, and more information about the awareness campaign.