Mitochondrial myopathies are a group of neuromuscular diseases caused by damage to the mitochondria. Mitochondria refers to small, energy-producing structures that serve as the cells. Nerve cells in the brain and muscles require a great deal of energy, and thus appear to be particularly damaged when mitochondrial dysfunction.

Mitochondrial myopathy is a mitochondrial disease that causes prominent muscular problems. A mitochondrial disease that causes both prominent muscular and neurological problems is called a mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Symptoms of mitichondrial myopathies include muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, hearing loss, trouble with balance and coordination, seizures, and learning deficits. Other frequent complications include impaired vision, heart defects, diabetes, and stunted growth. Mitochondrial diseases are not contagious, and they are not caused by anything a person does. The main problems associated with mitochondrial disease include low energy, free radical production, and lactic acidosis. Tissues with high energy requirements, such as the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle, are primarily affected. Usually, a person with a mitochondrial disease has two or more of these conditions, some of which occur together so regularly that they are grouped into syndromes.

Mitochondrial myopathies are caused by mutations, or changes, in genes which is the cells’ blueprint for making proteins. They are inheritable, although they can occur with no family history, and they often affect members of the same family in different ways. The age of onset and progression of mitochondrial myopathy varies greatly from type to type. Although there are no cures for mitochondrial diseases, treatments can help reduce symptoms or slow the decline in health. Also, the treatment varies from patient to patient and depends on the specific mitochondrial disease diagnosed and its severity.  Proteins such as eggs or dairy, a carbohydrate such as wholegrain toast or cereal, and fruit are good for people with mitochondrial myopathies. MLA