An overview on metabolic disorders and current therapy

Metabolic disorders occur when the breakdown of food to its components becomes disrupted. Disorders in metabolism can be inherited, in which case they are known as inborn errors of metabolism, or they may be acquired during the lifetime. Metabolic disorders can be inherent to severe diseases or conditions, including respiratory or liver failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. Occasionally highly complex pathways mediate metabolic disorders. At other times, one basepair of the DNA may be solely responsible. These discoveries have led scientists to develop extraordinary treatments for affected individuals, and the pace of discovery continues to accelerate. The symptoms of metabolic disorders vary among individuals and by the type of the disorder. Some metabolic disorders result in mild symptoms that can be managed with treatment and lifestyle changes, whereas others can cause severe and life-threatening symptoms, such as seizures, breathing problems, and organ failure. Some inherited metabolic disorders can require long-term nutritional supplementation and treatment, however, metabolic disorders that arise as a result of another disease or disorder frequently resolve once the underlying condition is treated.