Let's talk MELAS

Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes, or MELAS, is a rare type of mitochondrial disease, mito for short. MELAS most often impacts the brain and muscles, and it can also affect things like the body’s hormone system, hearing, vision, and the heart. In this episode, we talk through what stroke-like episodes can look like, including seizures, changes in behaviour, and sudden changes such as weakness on one side, confusion or loss of awareness, changes in vision or hearing, and difficulty with thinking or memory. We also explain lactic acidosis in plain language, and why muscle weakness and feeling very tired after light activity can be part of MELAS. We discuss how diagnosis can involve looking at your symptoms over time and doing more than one type of test, including genetic testing, and why care can include a team approach with regular checks such as heart and hearing checks and planning for emergencies. The information in this episode is based on Mito Foundation resources, including the MELAS information page. For support, call the Mito Foundation Helpline on 1300 977 180 or visit mito.org.au. To stay connected, subscribe and follow MitoCast wherever you found this episode.