Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a cluster of diseases that lead to progressive weakness and cause a loss in muscle mass. So, doctors regard it as a motor neuron disorder. The motor neurons found in the spinal cord are muscles that control the nerve cells. They are wire-like long projections that connect the muscles of the trunk and limbs to the motor neurons. When a neuron transmits a signal, it causes a contraction in the muscles, but in SMA patients, these neurons go lost and prevent the proper functioning of the muscles. Here’s a list of the causes of SMA:

• Genetic causes
  Approximately 94% of people develop SMA because of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) 1 gene’s homozygous mutation. The homozygous mutation is one where an individual inherits an identical form of the mutated gene, not just from one but both their parents. Primarily, SMA develops when the spinal cord’s motor neurons or the brain stem stop working because of the alternations in the genes SMN 1 and SMN 2. The motor neurons are responsible for the nerve cells that control movement, and the SMN2 and SMN1 genes send instructions for creating a protein responsible for the functioning of the motor neurons. So, any issue noted in SMN1 is one of the primary causes of SMA. That said, if the person notices a problem with SMN2, it will imply the severity and the type of SMA.  

Risk factors
In addition to genetic causes, several other lifestyle-related factors increase the risk of the disease. They might not be direct causes of SMA, but they undoubtedly increase the chances of developing the condition. Researchers aren’t sure whether they are explicitly related to SMA, but some of the factors that can make people with SMA vulnerable to complications or additional health issues are:

• Leading a sedentary lifestyle
  For someone with motor weakness, physical activity has major significance. If one is inactive, their health will only deteriorate. They might experience problems like bedsores, respiratory infections, and constipation. SMA patients can consult an expert and formulate an exercise program suitable for them to improve or maintain muscle strength and health.
• Exposure to infectious diseases
  SMA directly impacts the immune system, so people with the condition must keep away from those who have any contagious infection. This will prevent them from catching the infection.
• Eating an unhealthy diet
  A diet that does not provide adequate nutrition will only make it difficult for the body to combat infections. Also, the muscles are weakened if the body is unable to source energy from the food consumed, and this can aggravate SMA.

Although improving overall health via lifestyle changes will not reduce or alter SMA, it will undoubtedly reduce the risk of complications and improve a patient’s quality of life.