What is a metabolic disorder

What is a metabolic disorder

A Metabolic disorder is a problem in the metabolism which results in the body being unable to break down food into its simpler components such as fats, protein and carbohydrates (sugar). If a child has a metabolic disorder it tends to be inherited.

Examples of this are:

• Phenylketonuria is an inherited metabolic disorder which results in the inability to break down protein from food, more specifically the amino acid phenylalanine. An amino acid is just a building block of protein.
• Type 1 diabetes is a disorder where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a balanced and safe blood sugar.
• Gaucher's Disease, which is a disease affecting the breakdown of fat due to the lack of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase.

The symptoms of metabolic disorders vary among individuals and types of disorders.

Our Physiotherapists at Manchester Neuro Physio can use a variety of techniques to help minimise the effects of a metabolic disorder which will be highlighted on our next page.

To book an assessment or for more information please email office@manchesterneurophysio.co.uk call 0161 883 0066 .