Muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Becker muscular dystrophy
limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
congenital muscular dystrophy
oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
distal muscular dystrophy
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and
myotonic dystrophy.
Muscular dystrophy can affect people of all ages. Although some forms first become apparent in infancy or childhood, others may not appear until middle age or later. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common kind of muscular dystrophy affecting children. Myotonic dystrophy is the most common of these diseases in adults.
There is no specific treatment for any of the forms of muscular dystrophy. Physical therapy to prevent contractures (a condition in which shortened muscles around joints cause abnormal and sometimes painful positioning of the joints), orthoses (orthopedic appliances used for support) and corrective orthopedic surgery may be needed to improve the quality of life in some cases. The cardiac problems that occur with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy may require a pacemaker. The myotonia (delayed relaxation of a muscle after a strong contraction) occurring in myotonic dystrophy may be treated with medications such as phenytoin or quinine.
The prognosis (outlook) with muscular dystrophy varies according to the type of muscular dystrophy and the progression of the disorder. Some cases may be mild and very slowly progressive with normal lifespan, while other cases may have more marked progression of muscle weakness, functional disability and loss of ambulation. Life expectancy depends on the degree of progression and late respiratory deficit. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, death usually occurs in the late teens to early 20s.
Muscular dystrophy is abbreviated as MD.
Read Also:
- Muscular dystrophy, Becker
A form of muscular dystrophy (MD) that is similar to Duchenne MD but milder. Patients with Becker MD produce a little of the key protein, dystrophin, whereas those with Duchenne make none. Progression of Becker MD is slower and symptoms tend to appear later than progression of Duchenne MD. Both Becker and Duchenne MD result […]
- Muscular dystrophy, congenital
A form of muscular dystrophy that is present at birth. Various types of congenital MD have been identified, each caused by a different genetic error. Congenital MD can affect males or females. Diagnosis is initially by observation of general muscle weakness (hypotonia). See also muscular dystrophy, myotonic.
- Muscular dystrophy, distal
A rare type of muscular dystrophy (MD) that typically begins in adulthood and involves the muscles that are most distant from the midline, such as those of the hands and feet. Distal MD is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and affects males and females. Also known as distal myopathy and distal hereditary myopathy.
- Muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss
A form of muscular dystrophy (MD) that begins in childhood or the teen years. It is a slowly progressing disorder that begins in the upper arms or upper legs. Contractures of the limbs are common, as are serious heart problems. Emery-Dreifuss MD is caused by mutation in the gene that encodes emerin on the X […]
- Muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral
A form of muscular dystrophy that begins before age 20, with slowly progressive weakness of the muscles of the face, shoulders, and feet. The severity of the disease is variable. Abbreviated FSMD. Although most people with FSMD retain the ability to walk, about 20 percent of affected individuals require wheelchairs. Life expectancy for FSMD is […]