Muscular Dystrophy
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Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that causes muscle weakness. MD can affect a person’s ability to walk, but it can also affect the muscles that help organs such as the heart, eyes, and lungs function.
Symptoms and Types
There are over 30 types of muscular dystrophy, and symptoms may vary in each type. Some of the common types of muscular dystrophy and their symptoms are listed below.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): The most common type; affects children (mainly males).
frequent falls, waddling gait, difficulty getting up from a sitting position, difficulty breathing
Becker Muscular Dystrophy: Less severe than DMD; appears around teenage years.
walking on toes, frequent falls, difficulty getting up from a sitting position
Myotonic Dystrophy: People with myotonic dystrophy have difficulty relaxing their muscles after use (usually affects face and neck muscles).
heart problems, difficulty swallowing, ptosis
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: Typically affects muscles in the face, shoulders, hips, and upper arms; usually appears in teenage years.
Cause
MD is caused by a genetic mutation in the gene that affects a muscle’s structure and function.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, but treatments include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, mobility aids (canes & walkers), medications, and corrective surgery.
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