Muscular dystrophy is a condition that affects muscles in your body. These muscles move your head, torso, neck, and legs. When they become weak, they can cause problems such as walking or swallowing. You may also experience muscle weakness in your throat, heart, or eyes. Symptoms can worsen over time, which means you will need to be monitored and treated.
There are several different types of muscular dystrophy. The most common form is myotonic dystrophy. This is caused by a gene mutation that causes your muscles to become unable to relax. Your doctor can determine if you have myotonic dystrophy by testing your muscle strength. It is important to get a proper diagnosis before undergoing treatment. In some cases, a person with myotonic dystrophy may be injected with drugs to target the gene that is causing the disease.
Another type of muscular dystrophy is facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. This is a type of muscular dystrophy that affects the muscles in the face and neck. A person with this type of muscular dystrophy will experience difficulty swallowing and will have a hard time using their arms. People with this type of dystrophy can have scoliosis, too.
Other forms of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. These forms of dystrophy are mainly found in boys. They usually start between age 11 and 25 and tend to progress slowly. However, some people can still walk at age 16.
People who have these diseases can be at risk for heart and respiratory problems. If the condition is severe, you may need to wear a respirator or use a breathing device during the day. Depending on the severity of the disease, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the problem. Some people with muscular dystrophy may also develop diabetes. Surgical procedures and physical therapy are available to improve the health of these muscles.
Myotonic dystrophy can affect people of any gender, but men are more likely to have the disease than women. Most people affected by myotonic dystrophy have European ancestry. While there is no cure, there are treatments that can help people with the disease live longer and more comfortable lives.
Several new therapies are being tested for the disease. In addition, researchers are working to discover more genetic mutations that could lead to new forms of therapies. Currently, the most effective therapies are surgery, physiotherapy, and medication.
A person with muscular dystrophy should see a neurologist, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, a heart doctor, and a speech and swallow specialist. You should also be vaccinated for pneumonia and flu. If you are experiencing emotional difficulties, you should talk to your doctor about ways to cope. Talking to other people with muscular dystrophy can help you find support and advice. Support groups are also helpful.
The main goal of treatments is to improve the strength of the muscles in your body. For some people, this can be done through physical and occupational therapy. Others may require a respiratory device or a feeding tube.
