Mysterious Muscle Wasting Disorder Leaves Boy Too Weak to Even Hold-Up His Head

A weak backbone prevents the 12-year-old boy from sitting, standing and even crawling. Doctors are unable to diagnose and find a cure for this rare condition.

Twelve-year-old Mahendra Ahirwar suffers from a mystery muscle-wasting disease, which has left him too frail to support his own body parts. The boy’s extensor neck muscles are unable to hold his head in place, which leaves his head hanging at a180-degree angle from his body.

Mahendra Ahirwar, from Madhya Pradesh, India, has a weak backbone, which means he can’t stand, or walk and is restricted to a sitting position and can just crawl but needs help to eat and go to the toilet.

Bigorexia / Muscle Dysmorphia - Causes Symptoms Signs Complications Treatment
Bigorexia or muscle dysmorphia is a mental disorder most commonly seen in the males, wherein the individual is obsessed with his muscle size and has a constant desire to develop very large muscles.

Mukesh Ahirwar, Mahendra’s father, said, "He can move his neck only in three directions. His neck bone is quite strong but cannot hold his head. His neck is longer than average size and is growing slowly. I don’t want him to die but he is losing the battle slowly.”

Mukesh said that in 2010, they went to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for treatment. The doctors conducted series of tests on him but failed to diagnose the condition.

His 35-year-old mother, Sumitra said, "I cannot see him suffer anymore. Watching his life is devastating. He cannot do anything by himself. He just sits in a corner of the room all day. It’s no life. I have to carry him like a baby everywhere but he is 12 years old, how will I carry him when he grows even older? If doctors cannot treat my son, it is better that God takes him."

Muscle Cramps - Symptom Evaluation
Muscle cramps occur commonly and result in temporary pain in the muscles. They are often due to overuse of muscles or dehydration.

Despite having three other healthy children, members of the community have blamed Mahendra’s condition on his father’s past sins and believe he is to blame for his son’s disability.

Source-Medindia

About Myotonic Dystrophy
Detailed information on myotonic muscular dystrophy, a common form of muscular disease that affects adults and children.

Cerebral Palsy: Causes Symptoms Treatment Types Therapy and Communication Options
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive motor neurological disorder that manifests during the early developmental stages of life.