What is muscular dystrophy and how is it treated?

Types of muscular dystrophy There are more than 30 types of muscular dystrophy. Some common forms of this disease are: - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) - Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) Myotonic dystrophy - Distal muscular dystrophy ### Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) This disease is the most common form of muscular dystrophy.. It mainly affects children with muscular dystrophy (AMAB), but it can also have a milder version when women are diagnosed (AFAB).. Progression of DMD weakens the heart and lungs of affected people.. BMD is the second most common type of muscular dystrophy.. This disease can cause milder symptoms among people with AMAB.. Ages 5 and 60, but usually in Teenage years begin The severity of BMD varies from person to person. Myotonic dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy diagnosed in adulthood. People with myotonic dystrophy have difficulty relaxing their muscles. This disease can also affect a person's heart and lungs and cause endocrine problems such as thyroid disease and diabetes. It affects 40 to 60 year olds... What are the symptoms of muscular dystrophy?.. The symptoms of muscular dystrophy can vary considerably depending on the type, but the main symptom is muscle weakness and other muscle related issues.. Any type of dystrophy can affect different muscles and parts of your body. Muscular dystrophy symptoms usually get worse over time. - Symptoms related to muscles and movement can include: - Muscular atrophy - Difficulty walking, climbing stairs and running.... - Irregular walking - Stiff or loose joints Permanent tightening of your muscles, tendons, and skin (contractions) - Spasticity - Muscle pain Other symptoms can include: - Fatigue - Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) - Heart problems, such as arrhythmia and heart failure (cardiomyopathy) - Curved spine (scoliosis) - Respiratory problems - Mental disabilities - Learning disorder The symptoms of some types of muscular dystrophy are mild and progress gradually with age. Other types of this disease cause faster muscle weakness and physical disability. What causes muscular dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations (changes) in genes that are responsible for the structure and function of healthy muscles. Muscular dystrophy becomes progressive.. There are several genes and possible genetic mutations that play a role in muscle function.. In most types of muscular dystrophy, a person inherits a genetic mutation from one or both of their biological parents... depending on the type Specifically, there are three ways to inherit muscular dystrophy: - Defeated inheritance - Dominant inheritance - sex-linked inheritance (X-linked) ### recessive inheritance This means that a person has inherited a genetic mutation from both biological parents.... Some forms of girdle muscular dystrophy have this inheritance.... ### Dominant inheritance This means that a person only needs to inherit the mutated gene from one of their biological parents to develop the disease.. Myotonic, fascioscapulohumeral, and oculomotor muscular dystrophy has this type of inheritance. Gender becomes... Because males genetically only have one copy of each gene on the X chromosome, if one of those genes is mutated, they may have A symptoms, but their symptoms may be genetically linked to the disease.... usually less severe.... Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy have this type of inheritance.... Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosis If you or your child has symptoms of muscular dystrophy, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam, neurological exam, and muscle exam and ask detailed questions about your symptoms and medical history. If muscular dystrophy is suspected, one of the following diagnostic tests may be recommended: - Creatine kinase blood test - Genetic tests - Muscle biopsy - Electromyography (EMG) ### Creatine kinase blood test Your muscles release creatine kinase when they are damaged... so high levels of this test may indicate muscular dystrophy... ### Genetic tests Specific genetic tests can identify gene mutations associated with muscular dystrophy... ### Muscle biopsy Your doctor may take a small sample of your muscle tissue. Then a specialist will examine the sample under a microscope to look for signs of muscular dystrophy. ### Electromyography (EMG) This test measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves... What are the methods of controlling or treating muscular dystrophy? The main goal of treating muscular dystrophy is to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Treatment can be different depending on the type of muscular dystrophy. The most important methods of treating muscular dystrophy are: - Physiotherapy and occupational therapy - Corticosteroids - Mobility aids - Surgery - Heart care - Speech therapy - Respiratory care ### Physiotherapy and occupational therapy The main goal of these treatments is to strengthen and stretch your muscles.... They can help you maintain motor function.... ### Corticosteroids Corticosteroids such as prednisolone and deflazacort may be useful in delaying muscle weakness, improving lung function, delaying scoliosis, slowing the progression of cardiomyopathy, and prolonging survival.. Devices such as canes, braces, walkers, and wheelchairs can improve your mobility. People with muscular dystrophy may need surgery to relieve tension in tight muscles and correct the curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Early treatment with ACE inhibitors and beta blockers may slow the progression of cardiomyopathy and prevent the onset of heart failure. Devices and masks that help cough can help breathing.... Tracheostomy and assisted ventilation may be necessary in cases of respiratory failure... How is the diagnosis and treatment of muscular dystrophy at the Neurology and Neurology Center?... Noor Ali Neurology and Neurology Center is ready to serve you dear ones by using the most modern diagnostic and treatment equipment for neurology and neurology disorders under the supervision of a neurology subspecialist....