Final answer:
Neuromuscular diseases are diagnosed using blood tests for creatine kinase, electromyography, muscle biopsy, and genetic testing, alongside physical exams to evaluate muscle tone, strength, and lung function using a nebulizer to diagnose restrictive diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Features of a neuromuscular disease can be explored using various diagnostic tests, including lung function testing. Symptoms of muscle diseases may include weakness, spasticity, myoclonus, and myalgia.
For diagnosis, healthcare professionals may perform tests such as measuring creatine kinase levels in the blood and conducting electromyography, which measures electrical activity in muscles. A muscle biopsy can identify myopathy and genetic testing can identify DNA abnormalities associated with muscular disorders.
The motor exam is pivotal in assessing neuromuscular function by first inspecting and palpating muscles for structural irregularities and assessing muscle tone through passive range of motion.
A loss of muscle tone, known as hypotonicity or flaccidity, may indicate a lower motor neuron issue. In addition, muscle strength is tested by having the patient contract muscles against resistance, revealing potential upper or lower motor neuron damage.
Lung function tests, particularly those using a nebulizer, can determine the rate at which air is expelled from the lungs. This helps diagnose restrictive lung diseases, often associated with neuromuscular disorders.