SMA or spinal muscular atrophy is a disease in which genetic mutation leads to the deficiency of SMN or survival motor neuron. The condition affects the mobility of an individual, and if it is not treated, it can be fatal. As gene-level changes cause this disease, treating it becomes difficult, and it can only be managed and not fully cured. The treatment options for SMA depend on the symptoms of the patient.

The best treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy

1. Use of antisense oligonucleotides
These medications, used as one of the treatment options for SMA, help to alter or prevent the drop in SMN levels in the body in order to reverse the symptoms of the condition. They work in changing the way SMN is spliced. They also boost the SMN2 levels in the body.

2. Gene therapy
This is one of the most suitable treatment options for SMA, recommended for children below 2 years. This method increases the level of SMN1. There are FDA-approved drugs used in this type of treatment, and it is one of the most crucial methods known to be effective in increasing the survival rate of patients.

3. Improving breathing
Breathing difficulties could be one of the many symptoms of SMA in kids. To begin with, the child is taught breathing exercises. Sometimes a type of assistive equipment could also be used for improving breathing. If there is an extreme relaxation of the throat muscles or mucus blocking normal breathing, a suitable method for clearing the mucus might be performed. Artificial respiratory devices could also be used when required.

4. Proper diet
Altering the everyday diet of the patient can help in managing the symptoms of SMA to a great extent. Daily consumption of a balanced diet is very important to maintain the patient’s overall health. For children in whom SMA manifests in the early stages of childhood itself, the disease might impact growth rate. To overcome this and to promote healthy physical development, dietary changes are essential. Some kids might not be able to swallow food and this makes consuming a healthy diet challenging. The use of a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube to aid feeding might be prescribed in some cases.

5. Combination treatments
A combination of treatments often works as the best option for SMA. Medications to maintain the SMN levels in the body will not be effective if the daily nutritional requirements of the child are not met. Also, supporting or assisting the digestive or respiratory functioning of the patient could be needed, depending on their symptoms.

Although this inherited disease cannot be completely cured, there are several treatment options for SMA available to help improve the quality of life of patients. With the advanced healthcare options available now, it is possible to alleviate the symptoms of this condition effectively.