Muscoskeletal system
According to Dr. Frank Lipman, the muscoskeletal system consists of bones and muscles, hence the name 'muscoskeletal'. The human body contains 206 bones and they are soft in the inside. Tendons and ligaments connect muscles and bones together, and Dr Frank emphasizes on the fact that the spine is probably the most important bone of the body, as it contains the CNS and a broken back could cause paralysis. For more information on the Muscoskeletal System, click here
HIV effect on the muscoskeletular system
Due to the HIV effect on the circulatory system, the heart becomes weaker. In addition, due to the HIV effects on the respiratory system, less oxygen is circulated around the body. This causes less oxygen to be used for the muscles of the body, thus weakening them. Depending on the seriousness of the HIV, muscle malfunction could be a big issue.
arthritisOther issues of the muscoskeletal system experienced by HIV infects is Arthritis. Arthritis is about the damage on the cartilage of the bones. The cartilage which acts as a shock absorber on the joints wears off. The reason to this is actually not because of muscle malfunction as stated above. In the case of an HIV patient, everydayhealth.com explains that it is actually due to the lack of advanced immune system cells known as the CD4. Without the CD4, the cartilage wears off, leaving the joints to become less flexible and vulnerable. This results in joint pain!
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