Muscle dystrophy involves loss of muscle very progressively and loss of strength resulting from this. This disease affects one in every 5000 males. This is due to the genetic mutation of the x-chromosome.
Most common is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects young boys and other variations, may strike in adulthood.
This genetic mutation interferes with the production of muscle protein, which is required to build and keep the muscles healthy. The cause is usually genetic like family history. There is no cure but various treatments improve the chances in slowly reducing the progress.
Over a group of 30 conditions lead to muscle degeneration and weakness and is called Muscular dystrophy. It also causes the muscles to harden which further causes difficulty in the heart functioning and breathing and leads to life-threatening complications.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the effects can be mild, with a moderate disability to fatality. Muscular dystrophy cannot be prevented or reversed. However, medications and therapies can improve an individual’s life and delay the progression of symptoms.
Symptoms of muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy leads to the weakening of the skeletal muscles. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form. Becker muscular dystrophy symptoms start in the mid-twenties is mild and progress slowly.
Early symptoms include difficulty in standing and sitting, walking on toes, difficulty in running and jumping, waddling gait, learning disability and speech problems falling frequently, inability to walk, shortening of the tendons and muscles leading to further movement restriction, severe breathing problems, curvature of the spine, weakened heart muscles, and difficulty in swallowing.
Treatment for muscular dystrophy
There is no cure but therapy and medications keep the patient mobile and slow down the progress of the disease.
Most common medications, which are prescribed for the treatment of muscular atrophy, are as follows:
- Corticosteroids help to slow the progress of the disease and helps to increase muscle strength. Long-term use can result in weight gain and weak bones.
- Heart medications like angiotensin-converting enzyme and beta-blockers to impact the heart condition.
- General exercises help the limbs to remain mobile for longer. It slows down the progress of the disease, swimming, and walking. The limbs become fixed in a position in this disease and also make the tendons shorter.
- Breathing assistance is required with the help of devices, which makes them use a device for oxygen delivery to the lungs. The patient may use a ventilator as a treatment device for muscular atrophy. Mobility can be improved with the help of walkers, wheelchairs, and canes. Braces also help to stretch the tendons and give support.
Types of muscular dystrophy
There are different types of muscular dystrophy and they include the following.
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
This type of muscular dystrophy is the most common among people.
- Becker muscular dystrophy
This type of muscular dystrophy is generally found in teens and adults.
- Myotonic
Also called as Steiner’s disease, Myotonic is the inability to relax the muscle once it contracts
- Congenital
This type of muscular dystrophy can happen between the time of birth to the age of 2 years and affects both boys and girls
- Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD)
This type of muscular dystrophy is experienced by teenagers. Muscle weakness affects the shoulders and face.
- Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)
This form of muscular dystrophy affects the hip and shoulder muscles. It is mostly seen in kids.
- Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
This type of muscular dystrophy takes place between the ages of 40 and 70 years. The most affected are the face, throat, and eyelids, and it then progresses to the pelvis and shoulder region.
