New Medicines for a Rare Muscle Disease

May 14, 2026, 11:00
UKHealth

Introduction

A health group in England says doctors can now use two new medicines for a disease called SMA.

Main Body

SMA is a rare disease. It makes muscles weak. Some children cannot sit or breathe well. These new medicines help the muscles stay strong. One medicine is a liquid for the body. The other is a pill. These medicines help children live longer. 73 children lived to age five because of these drugs. Now, doctors want to find SMA in babies. They are testing 750,000 new babies. This helps doctors give the medicine very fast. This is important because the body cannot fix the muscles later.

Conclusion

England now has better ways to treat SMA and find it in babies.

Learning

The Power of 'Can' and 'Cannot'

In this text, we see how to talk about ability (what is possible).

  • Can →\rightarrow Yes / Possible
  • Cannot →\rightarrow No / Impossible

Examples from the story:

  • "Doctors can now use two new medicines." (They have the ability now)
  • "Some children cannot sit." (They are unable to do it)
  • "The body cannot fix the muscles later." (It is impossible for the body to do this)

Simple Rule for A2: To make a sentence, just use: Person + can/cannot + action.

  • I can speak English.
  • He cannot swim.
  • Doctors can help patients.

Vocabulary Learning

health (n.)
the state of being free from illness or injury.
Example:Good health is important for everyone.
doctors (n.)
people who are trained to treat illness and injury.
Example:Doctors help patients feel better.
use (v.)
to employ for a purpose.
Example:We use a pen to write.
new (adj.)
not old or previously known.
Example:She bought a new car.
medicine (n.)
a substance used to treat illness.
Example:Medicine can help you feel better.
disease (n.)
an illness that makes people sick.
Example:The disease caused many people to be ill.
rare (adj.)
not common or frequently seen.
Example:The rare bird was seen once.
muscle (n.)
a piece of tissue that helps the body move.
Example:Muscles help us lift things.
children (n.)
young people who are not adults.
Example:Children play in the playground.
breathe (v.)
to take air into the lungs.
Example:We all need to breathe.