A disease is a pathophysiological response to internal or external factors. A disorder is a disruption to regular bodily structure and function. A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms associated with a specific health-related cause.

disease, any harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism, generally associated with certain signs and symptoms and differing in nature from physical injury.

Ex.: scurvy, rickets, osteoporosis, beriberi, anemia, pellagra, xerophthalmia

These disorders result in muscle weakness and fatigue that progress over time. Some neuromuscular disorders have symptoms that begin in infancy, while others may appear in childhood or even adulthood. Symptoms will depend on the type of neuromuscular disorder and the areas of the body that are affected.

Some symptoms common to neuromuscular disorders include:

Treating symptoms, delaying disease progression and enhancing quality of life for patients is accomplished with medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy and, when necessary, surgery.