1. Different Types of Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic, hereditary diseases that are progressive in nature. These diseases generally involve more than your muscles; in fact they may affect your cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. Some common forms of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Steinert's disease (Myotonic dystrophy), Becker's muscular dystrophy and Landouzy-Dejerine dystrophy. Each form of the disease has its own characteristics, symptoms and treatments.
2. Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy Most Common in Children
This type of muscular dystrophy is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that keeps muscle cells intact. It is characterized by frequent falling, a waddling gait, leg weakness, enlarged calf muscles and potentially, mental retardation. Symptoms occur early in life, often by age 6. The lifespan of these muscular dystrophy sufferers is not long; many do not live beyond their early twenties. Since Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy eventually affects every voluntary muscles, death often results from respiratory weakness, cardiac problems or pneumonia.
3. Steinert's Disease Can Also Cause Stiffness
Also known as Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy or Dystrophia Myotonica, this disease is congenital and is apparent at birth. In addition to the typical symptoms of muscle weakness in muscular dystrophies, individuals with Steinert's Disease also have stiffness and myotonia, the inability to relax their muscles voluntarily. Another telling characteristic of this disease is the appearance of a hollow face due to the weakening of facial muscles. Other common consequences of Steinart's Disease include frontal balding in men, cataracts, diabetes (mild) and difficulty sleeping. Progression, however, is slow and occurs over more than five decades.
4. Landouzy-Dejerine Dystrophy--Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
The name "Facioscapulohumeral" comes from the tendency of the shoulder blades to wing out when the affected individual raises their arms away from their body. This disease usually presents by age 20 and progresses slowly with some periods of rapid deterioration. Progression of this disease generally occurs during the years from the late teens to early adulthood. The muscle weakness often begins in the face and moves on to the shoulder, abdomen, feet, arms and pelvis.
5. Becker's Muscular Dystrophy
Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, also known as Benign pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy, is characterized by muscle weakness in the legs and pelvis. Muscle wasting also occurs in the arms and neck, but the most severe effects are seen in the lower extremity and pelvic girdle. This disease is characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness beginning with difficulty running and later inability to walk. Symptoms may also include difficulty breathing, frequent falls, and fatigue. Similar to other muscular dystrophies, skeletal deformities may also occur.
